While the NBA continues marching toward the playoffs, college basketball has reached its most exciting point of the year: the NCAA tournament. March Madness is a chaotic feast of thrilling games, and for pro scouts and draft geeks, the contests offer an exciting look at prospects in a high-pressure environment. Top picks can cement their status with an exciting tournament, or spring stars like last year’s Donte DiVincenzo can fly up draft boards. With the incoming class showing unprecedented parity outside of the early lottery, March is a critical time for players to make their cases.
The Celtics are currently lined up to hold three picks in the post-lottery section of the first round. Additionally, they own the Memphis Grizzlies’ first-rounder with top-8 protection, and the Grizzlies are right near the bubble (just 1.5 games “ahead” of the ninth-worst record). With some lottery luck, Boston could own four first round picks. Plus, the C’s have one second round selection, which stays in Beantown as long as it’s in the top 55. Barring a blockbuster trade, GM Danny Ainge will have to scour the full spectrum of prospects to make his picks.
For each pick, we’ll take a look at a college star Celtics fans should keep an eye on during March Madness. First, here are the prospects deemed “out of range” that will most likely be drafted too early:
Zion Williamson (F), Freshman, Duke
R.J. Barrett (G/F), Freshman, Duke
Ja Morant (PG), Sophomore, Murray St.
Cameron Reddish (G/F), Freshman, Duke
DeAndre Hunter (F), Sophomore, Virginia
Jarrett Culver (G/F), Sophomore, Texas Tech
And now to the watch list! Each pick will be listed as currently projected, with the exception of the Grizzlies selection.
Pick 9 (via Memphis, should it convey): Keldon Johnson (G/F), Kentucky
In today’s NBA, teams can never have too many wing shooters. Sporting a robust 38.8 percent clip from deep, Johnson has displayed range that would fit nicely into the perimeter-based offense Boston has been adapting to. At 6’6″ and weighing 215 pounds, he profiles nicely as a shooting guard at the NBA level. The 18-year-old doesn’t contribute much outside the scoring department, but he’s a good athlete that can develop his playmaking ability off the bench.
Kentucky doesn’t rely on one player as their offensive focal point, but Johnson is second on the team in usage rate (22.5 percent). He’ll have a chance to show off his shot and athleticism during the NCAA tournament, but as one of the steadier freshmen, a quiet March shouldn’t hurt Johnson much. He’s a raw but safe draft choice that can thrive in Boston, where Brad Stevens has a history of quality player development.
Pick 14 (via Sacramento): Coby White (PG), UNC
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Besides the drama surrounding Anthony Davis, Boston’s biggest priority next offseason should be locking down its long-term point guards. Confusion surrounds the future of Kyrie Irving, and if he does stay, it likely means Terry Rozier is on the way out. This year’s crop of point guard prospects looked bleak, but Ja Morant, Coby White and others have helped to deepen the position.
White has shined as a freshman starting on one of the best teams in the country. He’s shown off impressive quickness in his drives to the basket and is also shooting 38.5 percent from three in conference play. The freshman has struggled with carelessness (nearly three turnovers per game), but he otherwise looks like an offensive force.
RELATED: Coby White’s Draft Stock on the Rise
Right now, selecting White at pick 14 may be a reach for the Celtics. However, continuing his momentum into March Madness could not only validate the selection, but also push White further up draft boards. Unlike his Tar Heel teammate Nassir Little, Coby White looks primed to impress in the spotlight.
Pick 18 (via LAC): Brandon Clarke (F), Gonzaga
Marcus Morris looks well-suited for a pay raise this offseason– one that Boston likely can’t match. Enter Brandon Clarke, a tough-nosed forward that smothers opponents on the defensive end. Averaging a ridiculous three blocks per contest, Clarke’s long wingspan makes up for his 6’8″ height, helping him post the fourth-best defensive rating in the nation. On offense, he holds a field goal rate of nearly 70 percent. Clarke doesn’t have much range, but he’s near-unstoppable close to the basket. He also works on the glass, grabbing a strong 8.4 boards per game.
An impressive tournament could vault Clarke up past #18 and into the lottery. For now, he’s an immediate contributor on both ends and a surefire member of the Celtics rotation. He’s much different from Marcus Morris, but Clarke’s skills fit right in with Boston’s needs.
Pick 22: Talen Horton-Tucker (G), Iowa State
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Among basketball draftniks, Horton-Tucker might be the most polarizing prospect in the class. He’s a 6’4″ shooting guard with a seven-foot wingspan who is strong and physical but notoriously inconsistent. Horton-Tucker has made 44 three-pointers (some impressive, like the above clip) but shoots just 31 percent on treys and 63 percent at the free-throw line, signaling needed shooting improvement. He rebounds well for a guard, with five boards per game, but isn’t a skilled passer. He gets steals, but may struggle against faster NBA players.
Scouts are all over the board on Horton-Tucker; The Athletic‘s Sam Vecenie has him ranked 48th on his latest draft board, while The Stepien‘s Jackson Hoy goes so far as to rate him fourth. March Madness should prove crucial to the 18-year-old. If he shows out, teams in the range of Boston will be excited to jump at Horton-Tucker’s potential. In contrast, a quiet tourney could drop him to the second round.
Pick 52: Phil Booth (G), Villanova
The Celtics rarely hang on to their late selections. Danny Ainge has held ten second-rounders over the past four drafts, yet only one (Semi Ojeleye), is still with the team. However, Boston has shown a tendency to draft older, productive players in round two, making Phil Booth look like a promising prospect. Villanova has underachieved this year, and Booth has seen his stock fall, but he’s still put up some monster performances thus far. The 24-year-old is making 2.7 threes at a 36.7 percent rate, which bodes well for an NBA translation. But Booth will need to show improved passing and consistency to become a viable point guard. He also disappoints defensively despite his decent size (6’3″, 190 pounds).
The NCAA tournament will be a major indicator of the senior’s NBA potential. He needs to either wow scouts with a string of dominant games or show an increased ability to set teammates up and play all-out on both ends. A deep March Madness run would solidify Booth’s ability to lead.
Statistics and player information courtesy of Basketball Reference, NBAdraft.net and NBA Scouting Live.
