Former Celtics player Bennie Swain dies at 78

(Globe file photo)

Bennie Swain (left) and K.C. Jones were rookies the same year.

By John M. Guilfoil, Globe Correspondent

Bennie Swain, who played one memorable season with the Boston Celtics, winning a championship in the 1958-59 season, died of cancer Thursday in Houston. He was 78.

A knee injury prematurely ended the 6-foot-8 player's career. He went on to teach science and coach high school basketball for almost 30 years in Houston, his family said.

Mr. Swain was an early first-round pick in the 1958 NBA draft after leading the nation in scoring at Texas Southern University in the 1957-58 season. After his injury, he played semipro basketball before returning to Houston.

“Everybody who knew Swain loved him. He loved to teach students and he liked to steer them in the right direction,” said Jerry Gather of Houston, a close friend and former teaching colleague of Mr. Swain’s. “He knew they were there to learn, and he wanted to get the best out of them.”

Mr. Swain’s family said he had no regrets about his career.

“Bennie wasn’t the type of person to stay back with regrets. No, he’d just move on. He didn’t worry about the past,” said his wife, Tommie Swain. “He just moved on with whatever comes next in his life. That’s what he did.”

In addition to his wife, Mr. Swain leaves behind four children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Globe Correspondent Marc Robins contributed to this report. John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com

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