BOSTON -- Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass took home the ninth annual Red Auerbach Award before Wednesday's season finale against the Washington Wizards.

The honor, presented each year since the 2005-06 season, is bestowed upon the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic through performance on the court and off. The award is named in honor of legendary coach, general manager and president of the Celtics, the late Arnold “Red” Auerbach.

"The reason [Bass deserved the award] and I just told him this in front of the team, he’s as good of a pro as we have," said Celtics coach Brad Stevens. "He shows up every day, he’s the first one to the gym on the road, he’s the first one to the gym at home, he takes care of his body as well or better than any of our players on our team nutrition-wise, stretching-wise, in the weight room. And his individual workouts are deliberate to what applies to making his game good. And I don’t think everybody that works on the game anywhere in the world do those things as well as some of the best pros, and I think we need to really embrace that deliberate work-ethic all around the way and Brandon Bass is a great example of that for our team."

Echoed team captain Rajon Rondo: "I think it’s [a] well-deserved [honor]. He’s a great guy, a Class-A guy. He’s a great teammate, very unselfish and he competes every night. He takes great care of his body, on and off the court, and he’s always one of the first guys in the gym. It’s a great accomplishment for Brandon. I’m happy for him."

Previous winners include Paul Pierce (2013, 2006), Al Jefferson (2007), Kevin Garnett (2012, 2008), Ray Allen (2009), Rajon Rondo (2010) and Doc Rivers (2011).

Celtics owners presented Bass with the award before the game. Not only did Bass appear in all 82 games for Boston this season, but he was very active in the community, particularly with his learning-to-swim initiatives.