Boston Celtics
Since it was first given out in 1996, no player has won the NBA Sportsmanship Award more than Conley.
Mike Conley playing for the Timberwolves against the Celtics in Nov. 2025. AP Photo/Lily Dozier
July 1, 2026 | 2:26 PM
2 minutes to read
The Celtics appear to have a new member of their backcourt after the report on Wednesday that Mike Conley Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal.
Boston’s addition of the 38-year-old Conley adds a well-liked and well-respected player to the roster who has 19 seasons of NBA experience.
Here are a few things to know about the reported Celtics’ signing:
He is the son of a gold medalist.
Conley Jr. was born in Arkansas and went to high school in Indianapolis.
He’s the son of Mike Conley Sr., who won an Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games in the triple jump. Conley Sr. also won a silver in the event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
A phenomenal athlete, Conley Sr. emerged victorious in the Foot Locker Celebrity Slam Dunk Contest three times (1988, 1989, and 1992).
In more recent years, he became an NBA player agent, even representing his son for the first 12 years of his career.
His college career featured a notable partnership.
Conley attended Ohio State for the lone season of his collegiate career. It was momentous one, culminating with a championship appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
While at Ohio State, Conley played alongside future No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden (Conley’s father also represented Oden when he first entered the NBA).
He averaged 11.3 points and 6.1 assists per game with the Buckeyes, and was selected fourth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies.
He’s a four-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner.
Since it was first given out in 1996, no player has won the NBA Sportsmanship Award more than Conley.
After first being voted by his fellow peers for the award in 2014, Conley has received the distinction three more times (2016, 2019, and 2023).
Given to the “player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court,” it’s also an achievement that Celtics fans recognize: Derrick White won the award in 2026, and Jrue Holiday got it in 2025.
Anthony Edwards is a big fan of his.
Conley leaves Minnesota after parts of four seasons, featuring alongside Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.
Edwards made no secret of how much he likes Conley, both for his game and also as a professional.
“Mike Conley was an All-Star in the NBA,” Edwards reminded reporters following a Minnesota playoff win in May. “I think people forget about that. Once upon a time, he was one of the best point guards in the league. I always tell him that you used to be one of my favorite players. When I played 2K, I played with you.”
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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