The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday that newly acquired star guard Kyrie Irving will wear No. 11 for the coming season.
Irving's No. 2 jersey, which he wore through his first six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has already been retired by the Celtics in honor of Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.
In a tremendous bit of foreshadowing, Irving previously wore No. 11 at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey - on a team called the Fighting Celtics.
As far as single-digit jersey numbers in Boston go, the pickings are slim. The franchise has also retired Nos. 00, 1, 3, 6, and 10. A handful of other jerseys are also essentially off limits, including the No. 4 which belonged to Isaiah Thomas, Kevin Garnett's No. 5, and Rajon Rondo's No. 9; No. 7 is already worn by Jaylen Brown.
The last player to don No. 11 for the Celtics doesn't seem to harbor any ill will toward Irving.