Paul Pierce, a renowned American former professional basketball player, boasts an illustrious 19-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Initially selected by the Boston Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, Pierce spent the first 15 years of his professional journey with the Celtics, serving as captain and earning numerous accolades.
Throughout his time with Boston, Pierce accumulated an impressive array of achievements, including 10 All-Star selections and four All-NBA team designations. He formed a formidable "Big Three" alongside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007, leading the Celtics to two NBA Finals and ultimately securing an NBA championship in 2008.
Pierce was crowned NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 2008, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant players in the league. He joined an elite group of Celtics legends, including Larry Bird and John Havlicek, as one of only three players to have surpassed 20,000 career points with the franchise.
In July 2013, Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, reuniting with teammates Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry. He subsequently signed with the Washington Wizards as a free agent in 2014, before joining the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, reuniting with former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. Pierce concluded his playing career after two seasons with the Clippers, retiring in 2017.
On July 17, 2017, the Celtics welcomed Pierce back to the fold, signing him to a contract that enabled him to retire as a member of the organization with which he spent his first 15 NBA seasons.
Pierce's international career was marked by his inclusion on the United States national team for the 2002 FIBA World Championship, where he started all nine games and averaged 19.8 points per game.
