Congratulating Rhode Island Native Joseph Mazzulla, Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, on Being Named the 2025-2026 National Basketball Association Coach of the Year

WHEREAS, Since being named the Boston Celtics Head Coach on September 22, 2022, Coach Mazzulla has led the Celtics to 4 straight first-place finishes in the Atlantic Division, straight playoff berths, an NBA championship in 2024,; and other trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. Overall, the Celtics under his leadership have compiled an astounding .726 winning percentage in the last 4 NBA regular seasons; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the sterling guidance and basketball acumen provided by Coach Mazzulla, forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have developed into NBA superstars and MVP contenders, and he has helped to develop guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White into All-Star-caliber players; and

WHEREAS, Entering the 2025-2026 season, expectations were low for the Celtics after Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear during the 2025 playoffs, an injury that also forced him to sit out nearly the entire first half of the current NBA season. Most people expected the Celtics to suffer through a difficult rebuilding season, but instead Coach Mazzulla led the Celtics to a sterling 56-26 record, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and the fourth best record in the NBA. The Celtics also once again won the Atlantic Division and advanced to the NBA Playoffs. For these reasons, Boston Celtics Head Coach Joseph Mazzulla was named the NBA 2025-20 Coach of the Year, the first Celtics Head Coach in 46 years to win this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Johnston, Rhode Island, and a graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, Coach Mazzulla has been a leader his entire life. From leading West Virginia to the NCAA Final Four, and the Celtics to an NBA Championship, Coach Mazzulla has developed into a great leader whom other people can count on. Coach Joe Mazzulla is also a family man and a man of great faith, who has made all Rhode Islanders proud to call him a native son; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby heartily and joyously congratulates Boston Celtics Head Coach Joseph Mazzulla on being named the 2025-20 NBA Coach of the Year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Boston Celtics Head Coach Joseph Mazzulla.