16 potential Celtics targets to watch in the Sweet 16

For those who’re a basketball fan, there’s a reasonably good probability you understand about Cooper Flagg.

You additionally comprehend it’s extremely unlikely Flagg will be a part of the Celtics subsequent 12 months, barring a really gorgeous twist or a blockbuster commerce.

Nonetheless, there are many different stars taking part in within the Candy 16 of March Insanity that might be ideally suited matches in Boston. Right here’s a better take a look at a few of these names, in viewing order from Thursday to Friday, with a watch towards the NBA Draft.

Egor Demin, BYU — Demin looks like a Celtic to me. A 6-foot-9-inch combo guard who might be greatest on the level, he has an elite really feel for the sport and makes his teammates higher. Capturing is a professional concern (28.1 % from 3), however he’s averaging 5.4 assists and is nice for a pair magical dimes a recreation.

Labaron Philon, Alabama — He’s electrical with the ball in his fingers and has a bit little bit of Tyrese Maxey in him. On a veteran Crimson Tide staff, the freshman Philon has earned a beginning function and emerged as a catalyst. He’s averaging 3.7 assists per recreation, is a pest defensively and pairs properly with star guard Mark Sears.

Mark Sears, Alabama — There’s some debate about whether or not Sears has what it takes to play within the NBA, however anybody who averages 18.6 factors, 5 assists and three rebounds, has that type of basketball IQ and finishes with the perfect of them can play for my staff. Jalen Brunson is the apparent comparability. Sears’ ceiling will not be as excessive, however he’s a winner who performs with an edge.

Derik Queen, Maryland – Queen, an overwhelming, 6-foot-10-inch, 240-pound freshman heart, instantly cemented his spot in March Insanity lore with a buzzer-beater towards Colorado State. He’s averaging 16.2 factors, 9.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per recreation whereas taking pictures 52.9 % from the ground. Queen has elite footwork within the paint and loads of finesse to match his simple energy. The Celtics would probably need to commerce as much as get him, however he might fill a necessity.

Alex Condon, Florida — Condon is 6’11, however he performs like he’s 7’2. He has some Donovan Clingan in him, although he isn’t fairly as dominant or menacing. He has a little bit of an unconventional fashion, however he’s efficient each inside and outside and is averaging 1.4 blocks per recreation. At a minimal, he might present depth long run; his ceiling, nonetheless, is sort of excessive.

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida — Very like many gamers on this checklist, Clayton began his profession at a small college (Iona) and has since damaged out on an enormous stage. He’s averaging 17.9 factors, 4.2 assists and three.8 rebounds and is somebody you need to have the ball within the recreation’s defining moments. There are some questions on how his recreation will translate, however he might present a carry as a bodily and savvy backup guard.

Kon Knueppel, Duke — Flagg is with out query Duke’s greatest participant, however he has loads of assistance on a star-studded roster. It begins with Knueppel, a sharpshooting freshman who’s each taller (6’7) and harder than he seems. He’s one other participant the Celtics would probably must commerce as much as get, so it’s unlikely it will occur. Even so, he’s value keeping track of as somebody who ought to have an extended and fruitful NBA profession.

Khaman Maluach, Duke — Maluach, a 7-foot-2-inch, 250-pound heart is projected to go early within the first spherical, however we will’t eradicate the Celtics as a chance solely when Brad Stevens is concerned. Maluach is a pressure on the rim, averaging 1.2 blocks per recreation, however he additionally shoots 77.6 % from the free-throw line – a powerful mark for somebody his measurement. He has excessive flooring and a excessive ceiling.

Isaiah Evans, Duke — Out of all of the choices on Duke, Evans would be the most lifelike and in the end the perfect match. The Celtics might use one other wing, and Evans is a knockdown shooter with an awesome really feel for the sport. He’s taking pictures 41.8 % from 3-point vary and is able to going off at any second.

Carter Bryant, Arizona — Bryant’s stats (6.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 1 help) aren’t eye-popping, however he has an awesome NBA construct at 6’8, 220, and continues to be a freshman. He’s taking pictures 47.6 % from the ground and 37.4 % from 3 in 19.1 minutes per recreation. He tasks as a 3-and-D man who might complement Sam Hauser properly long run.

Boogie Fland, Arkansas — Don’t let title idiot you; Boogie could be a great decide (sorry, I needed to). Arkansas isn’t precisely your typical Cinderella, however as the one double-digit seed left, the Razorbacks are technically the darkish horse of this event. Fland, who missed a part of the season with a thumb damage, is again and shortly discovering his groove. A 6-foot-2-inch freshman guard with an awesome burst, he creates off the dribble and has a knack for drawing doubles and discovering open teammates.

Adou Thiero, Arkansas — He adopted John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas and has shot 54.8 % in a productive season. Thiero is 6’8 and is able to bodying facilities and sticking with guards as wanted. Capturing is an space to observe, however he will get to the rim with relative ease. The Celtics might use one other elite on-ball defender, and Theiro could also be a pleasant match.

Jase Richardson, Michigan State — His inventory is rising day by day, however there’s all the time an opportunity he might slip to late within the first spherical and develop into a steal for a staff just like the Celtics. Richardson, a 6-foot-3 guard (sure, the son of Jason Richardson), is gaining confidence by the sport with the Spartans. He’s shifty, has an awesome motor and may actually shoot it.

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee — The Celtics love shooters who play with a chip on their shoulder and by no means cease competing. Hey, Chaz Lanier. After 4 productive years at North Florida, Lanier has develop into a family title this 12 months. He has some of the pure bounce photographs within the nation and can also be a tenacious on-ball defender. I believe he’ll be a great professional for a very long time and is somebody I might actually see taking part in in Boston.

Johni Broome, Auburn — Broome is without doubt one of the greatest tales in school basketball. He began his profession at Morehead State, transferred to Auburn and has since blossomed into top-of-the-line gamers within the nation. His greatest asset, for my part, is his footwork. He’s a type of gamers the place you understand he’s nearly all the time going again to the left, however you continue to can’t cease it. The subsequent step for him is growing his 3-point shot, however he’s cash from contained in the arc and a bull within the paint.

Danny Wolf, Michigan — Wolf is without doubt one of the extra intriguing gamers right here. You possibly can’t educate 7 toes and legit taking pictures capability. Suppose Kelly Olynyk meets Tyler Zeller, however with maybe a bit much less craftiness than Kelly (Kelly’s fairly good!). Out of anybody on this checklist, Wolf could also be top-of-the-line matches from a mode and personnel standpoint.

Different names to know — Darrion Williams (Texas Tech), Koby Brea (Kentucky), Miles Kelly (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)