The Boston Celtics enter Wednesday evening’s 2024 NBA Draft with the ultimate decide within the first spherical, leaving the group to contemplate varied avenues for taking advantage of their place.
Might that embrace wanting into a couple of prospects with native ties to the New England space? Maybe, however both approach, the workforce is conscious.
Throughout a pre-draft press convention at Auerbach Heart, workforce president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was requested particularly about two prospects: Devin Carter and Tyler Kolek. And though Stevens didn’t wish to chime in about particular names, it’s clear that the Celtics — on the very least — are conscious of these rooted throughout the group.
“These guys are each actually good gamers,” Stevens mentioned Tuesday, per NBC Sports activities Boston. “It’s cool anytime you will have gamers representing the area, the world, and there might be extra from this New England space that individuals are speaking about. Clearly, with UConn’s guys, that’s all the time a enjoyable factor for the area and it’s an important second for any child tomorrow evening that will get drafted.”
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Stevens, a head coach at coronary heart with 13 years of expertise on the collegiate degree, has been noticed attending NCAA battles within the native space. In March, Stevens watched Boston School and Pitt go head-to-head, practically 10 miles away from TD Backyard.
Carter, 22, seemingly gained’t slip outdoors of the highest 10 alternatives which might rule out any chance of the Celtics being within the working. The 6-foot-2 Windfall product averaged 19.1 factors with 8.4 rebounds and three.5 assists, ending the season as one of the elite two-way guards on this yr’s draft class. Carter additionally drained 37.7% of his 3-pointers this previous season.
In the meantime, Kolek may slide towards the top of the primary spherical. The 23-year-old guard out of Marquette, who’s additionally a Rhode Island native, greatest makes use of his attributes as a facilitator above all else. Kolek averaged 15.3 factors whereas capturing 38.8% from 3-point vary and logging 7.7 assists final season.
No matter the place Carter or Kolek land on draft evening, Stevens envisions a shiny future forward for them each.
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“That’ll both be the second or the beginning of higher issues,” Stevens added. “They need to all deal with, ‘The work begins now. The journey upward begins now.’ You don’t need that to be the spotlight. I feel that (Carter and Kolek) and most of the different potential draft picks have that mindset.”
