BOSTON, Mass. (September 23, 2022) – Joe Mazzulla’s time is now. The 34-year-old Rhode Island native is prepared to take over as the Interim Head Coach of the Boston Celtics. Growing up in New England, Joe Mazzulla played AAU Basketball in the early 2000s and now he looks to coach the Eastern Conference Champions back to a title.
 
Mazzulla was taking to the hardwood since he was a child, standing out in AAU tournaments. He played for the Rhode Island Challenge and the Rhode Island Hawks. For Rhode Islanders, Mazzulla is a familiar name, from a well-known basketball family. The Johnston native starred on the court for Bishop Hendricken High School, graduating in 2006.
 
A Providence Journal All-Stater, he helped the Hawks win three consecutive Rhode Island Interscholastic League championships, beginning in his sophomore year. Mazzulla is also a two-time Gatorade RI Player of the Year at Hendricken (2004 and 2005).
 
After his high school days were over, Mazzulla headed to West Virginia and played under the legendary coach, Bob Huggins. In 2019, then-Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (now the team's president of basketball operations) gave Mazzulla the opportunity to help coach the NBA team he had followed while growing up in Rhode Island.
 
“It’s good to be back home,’’ Mazzulla said after his first summer league practice with the Celtics. “I think this move was just a thank you to my hometown for everything that they’ve done for me."
 
To read the full story and learn more about the new head coach of the storied franchise, visit yahoo.com.