Honoring ‘Houdini of the Hardwood’

Celtics legend Bob Cousy saluted with statue in hometown Worcester

Worcester honored sixtime NBA champion and Celtics living legend Bob Cousy Friday, unveiling an enormous statue of the point guard in front of the DCU Center downtown and proclaiming June 18 “Bob Cousy Day” in the city.

“It looks like I’ll be guarding the DCU Center for many years to come,” Cousy said in a ceremony Friday afternoon.

Cooz, as he’s known to fans, played for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963 and was named an NBA All-Star 13 times. The 92-year-old’s incredible ball handling earned him the nickname the “Houdini of the Hardwood.” He went on to coach the Boston College men’s program to several winning seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances.

But Cousy’s actions off the court dwarfed those achievements. He founded the first NBA Player’s Association, fighting for fair wages and player pensions. He was vocally opposed to racism in the height of the Civil Rights movement and supported and escorted his teammate Chuck Cooper, the first black player drafted into the NBA, when forced to travel to a segregated city.

Cousy came to Worcester to play basketball for Holy Cross College and, essentially, he never left. He’s lived in the city for more than 70 years and raised his family there.

“Worcester has been my home and refuge. I love this city. Whatever I have given to it, it has given me much more,” he said.

At Friday’s ceremony, Cousy was surrounded by a who’s who of politicians and local celebrities all eager to speak on his behalf, from Gov. Charlie Baker to Sen. Joe Manchin to Celtics play-byplay announcer Mike Gorman.

“The thing that makes him really special is he’s a better person than he is a player, despite how great he was as a player,” Baker said.

But he tends to shy away from the spotlight, and Friday he discussed his uncomfortable relationship with his own level of celebrity. In 2019, then-President Donald Trump awarded Cousy with the Congressional Medal of Freedom. Cousy’s audience at the ceremony demonstrated his willingness to see past party lines: attendees included progressive Attorney General Maura Healey and conservative former Sen. Scott Brown.

Artist Omri Amrany crafted the statue. The IsraeliAmerican sculptor has immortalized several other high-profile athletes in bronze, including the Michael Jordan creation dubbed ‘The Spirit’ that greets Bulls fans at the United Center in Chicago.

CHRIS CHRISTO / BOSTON HERALD TRADEMARK MOVE: The statue of Bob Cousy unveiled Friday outside the DCU Center in Worcester shows one of his signature plays: a behind-the-back switcheroo with the ball while driving to the basket.

PARADE OF STARS: Cousy is congratulated by fellow Celtic great Satch Sanders before the unveiling. Athletes and politicians ranging from Celtics team officials to Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

FAST BREAK: Cousy speaks at the unveiling. ‘It looks like I’ll be guarding the DCU Center for many years to come,’ the 92-year-old quipped.

CREATIVE PLAY: Cousy, a Worcester resident for 70 years, talks with sculptor Omri Amrany, who created the statue.