Paul Pierce

October 13, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Paul Anthony Pierce, born on October 13, 1977, is an American former professional basketball player. He is best known as a former Boston Celtics teammate, who played 19 seasons in the N.B.A. Pierce’s professional career goes back to 1998. He had made noteworthy achievements but it was the 2008 win that cemented his achievements. He was named Most Valuable Player for the game that saw Celtics beat the Lakers 4 — 2. Pierce was an adept athlete, worth celebrating on his birthday today!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Paul Anthony Pierce

Nickname:

The Truth

Birth date:

October 13, 1977

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

6' 6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$70 million

Background

Paul Anthony Pierce is an American ex-professional basketball player. Pierce is a Libra, born on October 13, 1977, in Oakland, California. He attended Inglewood High School and became the star player by the end of his junior year. Pierce grew up loving the Los Angeles Lakers. He dreamed of playing on the team. He attended the University of Kansas and was part of the Jayhawks from 1995 to 1998. In 1996, Pierce earned a spot in the U.S.A. U22 team and helped set their unbeaten record in the World Championship qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. In 1997, he won the M.V.P. honors as a junior. He got drafted in 1998.

Pierce was selected by the Boston Celtics as their 10th overall pick in the 1998 N.B.A. draft. That year, he averaged 16.5 points and emerged the second runner-up in the Rookie of the Year Honors. In March 2001, Pierce was named N.B.A. Player of the Month after averaging 30.3 points. From 2002 to 2006, he made the All-Star team each season. In 2008, Pierce led the Celtics to their 17th N.B.A. Championship with a 4-2 victory over the Lakers. He was named the N.B.A. Finals Most Valuable Player for that game after averaging 22 points per game. He made his 20,000th point in 2010 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and in March 2013, he recorded his third triple-double of the season.

Pierce married Julie Landrum in 2010, and they have three children together. He joined E.S.P.N. as a studio analyst for “The Jump” and “N.B.A. Countdown” in 2017, and his jersey was retired in February 2018.

Career timeline

1998

The N.B.A. Draft

The Boston Celtics select Pierce as their 10th overall pick.

2001

The Player of the Month

Pierce becomes the N.B.A. Player of the Month for March.

2008

The N.B.A. Finals M.V.P.

Pierce gets the title of the N.B.A. Finals Most Valuable Player after averaging 22 points per game.

2010

The 20,000th Career Point

Pierce scores his 20,000th career point in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

2014

The Washington Wizards

Pierce signs a two-year $11 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

Why We Love Paul Pierce

He’s a star athlete
Pierce was an adept athlete, and his career statistics are enviable. He was a remarkable player on the court.
He’s a philanthropist
Pierce pledged $2.5 million to help expand Tufts-New England Medical Center’s high-tech surgical center, which saved his life. He gave back to the hospital that provided him with medical attention when he needed it the most.
He’s entertaining
A game with Pierce was always an entertaining one. He was always in the limelight.

5 Surprising Facts

His high school team cut him
Pierce got cut from Inglewood High’s varsity basketball team.
He despised the Boston Celtics
Pierce got drafted by the Boston Celtics, the team he hated while growing up.
He was stabbed
Pierce was stabbed 11 times at a club and had to undergo lung surgery to repair the damage.
He battled depression
Pierce revealed he battled depression and P.T.S.D. for a year after his stabbing incident.
Shaq gave him his nickname
Shaquille O’Neal gave him his nickname, The Truth.