Robert Parish

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Robert Parish (born August 30, 1953) is a former American professional basketball player. At 7 ft 1 in, the center was nicknamed “the Chief.” He played in the NBA from 1976 to 1997 for four teams: the Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls.

Parish started at Centenary College, where he faced an NCAA eligibility dispute that kept his college records out of official NBA history for years. He was drafted 8th overall in 1976 by the Warriors and played there four seasons before being traded to the Celtics in 1980 for the Celtics’ top pick, which became Kevin McHale. In Boston, Parish teamed with Larry Bird and McHale to form the famous “Big Three.” He helped the Celtics win three titles (1981, 1984, 1986) and later won a fourth championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1997, making him the oldest player to win an NBA title at age 43.

Parish is the Celtics’ all-time leader in blocks, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds. Over his career he averaged about 14.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, playing 1,611 NBA games. He was a nine-time All-Star and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1982 and Third Team honors in 1989. He is on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, and the Celtics retired his No. 00 jersey in 1998. Parish was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and is also honored in Centenary College’s Hall of Fame and other regional halls.

Parish’s nickname came from his calm, steady presence on the court. He was known for strong defense, relentless rebounding, and a high-arc jump shot. He wore the green of the Celtics for most of his prime years and became a key part of one of the league’s most famous frontcourts.

After his playing days, Parish coached the USBL’s Maryland Mustangs in 2001, earning USBL Coach of the Year before the team folded after one season. He later worked with the Celtics as a consultant and has talked about coaching opportunities. In his personal life, Parish was divorced in 1990 and faced legal issues in the 1990s, including a misdemeanor drug possession charge in 1993. He has also engaged in community work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.