Holy Grail
A fourth-round pick whose NBA dreams ended in a single cut before his political rise.
The Philadelphia 76ers' connection to Raymond Leo Flynn centers on a brief but pivotal chapter in his early life before he entered politics. In April 1963, Flynn was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in the fourth round of the NBA draft. The franchise relocated to Philadelphia and became the 76ers shortly after, yet Flynn never suited up for them. Instead, he spent part of the 1963–64 season playing for the Wilmington Blue Bombers of the Eastern Professional Basketball League. His time with the organization was defined by rights transfers rather than active roster participation.
- Draft Year
- 1963
- Draft Round
- 4th
- Draft Team
- Syracuse Nationals
- Rights Traded To
- Boston Celtics
- Rights Trade Date
- September 1964
- Cut From Roster
- October 1964
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Flynn's journey with the franchise began when the Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia, transforming into the 76ers. Although drafted by the Nationals in April 1963, Flynn did not play for them. The team traded his NBA rights to the Boston Celtics in September 1964. By October of that same year, Flynn became the last player cut from the Celtics roster. His only professional basketball experience occurred during the 1963–64 season with the Wilmington Blue Bombers, not within the 76ers organization itself. This path marked a clear turning point: his athletic career ended quickly, leading him to work as a youth worker and teacher before entering public office.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of Flynn's professional basketball days is one of near-misses and rapid transitions. Selected in the fourth round by the Syracuse Nationals in April 1963, Flynn watched the team relocate to Philadelphia to become the 76ers without ever donning their uniform. The franchise held his rights until September 1964, when they traded him to the Boston Celtics. That October, he faced his final professional hurdle as the last player cut from the Celtics roster. Following this dismissal, Flynn did not pursue further playing opportunities but instead enlisted in the United States Army and later worked as a probation officer for the Suffolk County Superior Court from 1965 through 1970.
Reader's Guide
For any fan tracing Raymond Leo Flynn's path, the key dates are April 1963 (drafted by Syracuse Nationals), September 1964 (rights traded to Boston Celtics), and October 1964 (last player cut from Celtics). The only professional team he actually played for was the Wilmington Blue Bombers during the 1963–64 season. There is no record of him playing a game for the Philadelphia 76ers, despite holding draft rights with them after their relocation. His athletic career concluded before his political ascent in 1970.
Did You Know?
- Raymond Flynn was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in April 1963, just before they relocated to become the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Flynn never played a game for the 76ers; his professional basketball time was spent with the Wilmington Blue Bombers.
- In October 1964, Flynn became the last player cut from the Boston Celtics roster after his rights were traded to them.
- Before entering politics in 1970, Flynn worked as a probation officer for the Suffolk County Superior Court from 1965 through 1970.
- Flynn was an All-American at Providence College and won MVP of the 1963 National Invitation Tournament.