The Boston Celtics' legacy is built on legendary draft picks, from Larry Bird to Jayson Tatum. While blue-blood programs often supply the stars, the Celtics have also found value in talent from schools like Butler University. The connection between the Bulldogs and the Celtics, though not extensive, has produced at least one notable name for the franchise's draft annals.

Let's break down the history of Butler players selected by Boston in the NBA draft.

The sole player drafted by the Celtics from Butler is forward John Thompson. He was selected in the eighth round (72nd overall) of the 1964 NBA Draft. While his NBA career was brief, his selection represents a unique piece of Celtics draft history, connecting the franchise to a program now renowned for its disciplined, team-first basketball culture.

This focus on identifying talent from diverse collegiate backgrounds has been a cornerstone of the Celtics' team-building philosophy for generations.