President Joe Biden honored the Boston Celtics months after they won the championship.
The NBA champion Boston Celtics' victory lap continued Thursday as the team visited the White House for the traditional celebration with the president.
"My Secret Service name is Celtic," Biden pointed out, adding, "everybody behind me is Irish in their heart."
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and the rest of the Boston Celtics were honored by President Joe Biden at the White House for their unprecedented 18th NBA championship. See the full ceremony here.
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After he and Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck spoke, Biden walked a ceremonial basketball the team presented him down to the gathered crowd and passed it to Sen. Ed Markey, before giving it a couple of bounces.
Ahead of the event, the Celtics shared a sneak peek at the ball and the jerseys they gave Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Biden's is No. 46, since he's the 46th president, while the jerseys for Harris and her husband sport 18s, for the team's NBA record 18th title.
Among those who attended the ceremony were Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the state's congressional delegation.
The last time the Celtics visited the White House as NBA champions, in 2008, George W. Bush was president.
This Sept. 19, 2008, photo shows President George W. Bush and Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce shake hands as the team visited the White House following their championship victory.
The Celtics are on a quest to be the first team to repeat as champions since the 2018 Golden State Warriors. They're in Washington for a game against the Wizards Friday night, an NBA Cup matchup that tips off at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.
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Jayson Tatum celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after winning the 2024 NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics, beating the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of Finals at TD Garden on Monday, June 17, 2024.
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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0, Al Horford #42, Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrate after Boston’s 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Confetti falls at TD Garden as fans celebrate the Boston Celtics winning the 2024 NBA Championship against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Monday, June 17, 2024.
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Confetti falls at TD Garden after the Boston Celtics’ NBA Championship-winning 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, June 17, 2024.
