Late one fall morning around 3 a.m., Rajon Rondo woke up to an unexpected phone call.

When the former Celtics point guard picked up the phone, Paul Pierce’s raspy, eager voice answered before he could say “Hello?” this time.

“They want us back!”

Rondo was one of several former Celtics players who got an email from head coach Joe Mazzulla this summer asking them to Boston to hang out with the team at any time during the next season.

After Mazzulla made the offer, Pierce was the first person to take it. He spent the first week of training camp with the team. Antoine Walker, Satch Sanders, Sam Vincent, and Eddie House are some of the other people who have stopped by.

Rondo’s turn came on Friday.

Rondo was surprised when Mazzulla asked him to come. He had never gotten anything like that in the 16 years he played in the NBA, eighteen of those years were with the Celtics.

“Famers come back to a lot of college teams,” said Rondo, who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021–22. “In the NBA, where players are traded to a lot of different teams, you don’t do it as often.” Getting that email made me feel welcome and humbled at the same time.

Since Rondo last saw a Celtics game more than eight years ago, this was his first time seeing one as a former player. He had also never been inside the team’s world-class training center before.

“It’s like going on a date,” he explained. “When someone asks you on a date, you almost get excited about it.” As I looked back at the Auerbach Center, I realized that I hadn’t had the chance to train or play here. That means it’s a great building. Having played for 16 teams in my career (he’s joking, it was “only”), I think this is one of the best ones I’ve been in. This is a nice place to play, so who wouldn’t want to come?”

Rondo said that Brad Stevens, who used to be his head coach and is now president of basketball operations, has put together a “impressive” team. He is especially interested in the addition of Jrue Holiday. You can bet that Rondo likes Holiday because they played together one season in New Orleans. Holiday is now the point guard for the Celtics.

“I love the Jrue Holiday pick-up,” he mentioned. “I’m excited for you guys to see what he can bring every night. He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever had.” It’s just the way he thinks, acts, and plays the game professionally, and what he brings to the court. There are many things that can’t be put into words about how great he is. But he wins. He is an opponent.

Rondo also says he met up with Al Horford, who he has played with since college and met many times during his career. He said Horford is one of many players who could make this team great. He thinks this team has the same promise as his favorite 2008 championship team.

Rondo said, “I’d say a lot of guys are great at what they do.” “They’re very likely to win everything.”

Rondo got to see some of Friday’s coaches’ meetings while he was at the Auerbach Center. As a communications major at the University of Kentucky, he has started back up with classes and hopes to look into coaching after he finishes his degree.

He said it was fun to pick Mazzulla’s head during the meeting.

Rondo said, “I love learning how to play the game.” “Right now my son’s team and I have a young AAU squad.” He wants me to spend time with him and help him get off to a good start. I teach at that level. My kid plays volleyball. I don’t know a lot about that game, but I do study it and try to put her in the best situation to get a scholarship. That means coaching is coming soon. This week I wanted to come here and learn from Joe and the rest of the staff. I wanted to take in as much information as I could.

Mazzulla says that Rondo and any other grads who come back can also teach a lot.

Mazzulla said, “I think it’s important to have as much open space as possible for the guys who came before us and gave us a chance to do what we do.” “I’ve always liked Rondo as a player.” I like how smart he is about basketball, and I’m glad he’s here. “I know the guys like it too.”

Both Rondo and I liked the experience. Pierce was excited to get in touch with him, and now he knows why. He would probably like it if you called him before midnight next time.

He, too, like Pierce, would like to help this team out as a guide when they need it. He said, “I don’t want to seem like I know everything,” but he also said, “I’ll do my best to help.”

He also said, “I’m just going to let it happen naturally.” “Nothing set in stone. What am I going to say to those guys? I’m not sure. I’m ready to give my opinion if they ask for it.