Celtics rookie Baylor Scheierman lives at the crossroads of competition and joy

Two Washington State free throws knotted the sport at 74-74. A 21-year-old Baylor Scheierman inbounded the ball for South Dakota State. Zeke Mayo clutched it, his eyes eagerly searching for out Scheierman. As two Cougars defenders cornered him, he made the go.

With 20 seconds left on the sport clock, Scheierman dribbled the ball previous half-court. Spokane Area, filled with Cougars followers and relations, rose to their toes. Washington State obtained of their defensive stance. All eyes had been on Scheierman. Anticipation slowly grew as they awaited the following actions.

However the Jackrabbits knew what was about to occur.

Because the 10-second mark got here and went, massive man Luke Appel went to set a display screen for Scheierman on the high of the important thing, however he ignored it. He drove in, stopped by a stunting Washington State defender. Noah Freidel ran throughout the free-throw line, operating his defender into the trail of Scheierman’s.

The star Jackrabbit introduced the ball as much as the left wing, faked in, pulled again, and despatched Andrej Jakimovski crashing to the bottom in a cut up. Scheierman launched the ball with 1.4 seconds left, and the buzzer sounded by the point it hit nylon.

An audible groan flooded the gang as Scheierman and his teammate celebrated on their opponent’s dwelling ground. The plan was at all times for him to take the shot. His coaches knew it. His teammates knew it. He knew it. And he relished it.

That’s the participant the Boston Celtics are getting.

“Being an individual who prepares himself for that second after which delivers when his quantity’s known as, it’s one thing that’s arduous to seek out,” Creighton head coach Greg McDermott, who recruited Scheierman from South Dakota State, advised CelticsBlog.

Lower than a yr after that game-winner, Scheierman traded in his Jackrabbit threads for a Bluejays jersey. His hoop desires prolonged far past faculty ball, and if he needed to see them come to fruition, he knew he wanted to problem himself.

Scheierman had performed every thing he might for South Dakota State. In his third and closing yr, he helped them win the Summit League and earn a bid within the NCAA Event. They fell brief within the Spherical of 64, however he left his coronary heart on the ground of Frost Area every night time.

“Each time I obtained to the gymnasium, Baylor was already there,” South Dakota State head coach Eric Henderson advised CelticsBlog. “The final particular person to go away the gymnasium, Baylor was nonetheless there. And so, simply that zeal that he had, and him placing us on his again after we had our historic season the final yr he had with us.”

It was this work ethic, this confidence that led McDermott to convey him on board following the 2021-22 season.

“If you meet the man, you simply sort of fall in love together with his confidence and his dedication to eager to get higher,” stated McDermott.

Scheierman’s basketball journey led him again dwelling to Creighton. He performed highschool ball simply two hours away in Aurora, Nebraska, a metropolis with a inhabitants of 4,717. Now, Scheierman is the one energetic NBA participant from the state.

From a tiny metropolis spawned an aura of credence, and Scheierman’s origin performs an enormous half in the way in which he carries himself on the courtroom.

“Very type, however very assured,” McDermott stated of Scheierman. “You don’t get to the place he’s at, coming from a small city, for those who don’t have some confidence.

“So, Baylor received’t again right down to anyone. He’s not afraid of anybody. He actually looks like he belongs. And he’s backed that up with lots of arduous work.”

Whether or not it’s big-time threes, nifty dimes, or main his highschool soccer staff with a state-record 59 touchdowns, Scheierman has at all times performed together with his coronary heart on his sleeve.

It’s a lifestyle that bleeds into apply and video games alike.

“You understand how it’s typically the place gamers, whether or not you name them avid gamers or they’re possibly a little bit bit, or not fairly as aggressive in apply? You’re by no means apprehensive about that with Baylor,” stated Henderson. “He needed to win each drill. Each sport drill that we had in apply, Baylor needed to win.”

Scheierman’s fireyness is met at a crossroads, nevertheless. A constructive one.

For anybody who places the time into changing into an NBA participant, basketball turns into greater than a sport. It’s life.

With that grind, pleasure will be sucked out of the sport. The once-childhood playground sport that children around the globe develop up taking part in turns into a job. Scheierman hasn’t fallen into that entice.

He battles more durable than anybody…

“He’ll battle and claw and scrap and dive on the ground for unfastened balls,” stated McDermott. “I imply, that’s what this man’s about. That’s his DNA.”

…but concurrently performs with an unmatched bliss. And it’s been that means his complete life.

“Primary, it was simply the enjoyment that he had taking part in the sport,” Henderson stated, explaining what led him to recruit Scheierman out of highschool. “Like, he had a flare that he wasn’t afraid to make a mistake, and he simply had enjoyable taking part in the sport.”

And in contrast to some hoopers, Scheierman’s love for the sport doesn’t shine by most whereas nailing a deep three or throwing down a poster jam. As a substitute, it’s when he’s making these round him higher.

“The primary trait that I fell in love with about Baylor’s sport is his passing,” stated Henderson. “And so, when your highest quality is passing, it simply makes everyone round you’re feeling so good.”

For Scheierman, simply being on a basketball courtroom is elation, however an ideal go is true basketball euphoria. It’s been that means since highschool, and it was one of many first traits that stood out throughout Coach Henderson’s recruiting course of.

“It in all probability got here out largely in his passing. Whether or not it was a full-length soccer throw for a layup, and the way he beloved to have fun that, a behind-the-back go, or only a easy go even, that flare, and that enjoyment for the sport was the very first thing that stood out.”

Scheierman’s mixture of jubilation and conviction helped him to 2 profitable seasons with the Bluejays. The primary yr was spent getting used to the upper degree of competitors within the Massive East, however within the second, he obtained again to dominance.

In his closing collegiate season, Scheierman averaged 18.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, and three.9 assists whereas capturing 44.8% from the sector and 38.1% from distance. He led Creighton on a run to the Candy 16, the place they finally misplaced to Tennessee. Scheierman’s efforts landed him a spot on the All-Massive East staff.

From Aurora to Brookings to Omaha, Scheierman discovered a method to influence profitable, and it led him to the NBA. However not straight away.

Earlier than his transfer to Creighton, Scheierman examined the NBA waters two years in the past. He accomplished some pre-draft exercises, together with one with the Celtics.

“The primary time coming by, clearly, was a few years in the past. They actually preferred my sport,” Scheierman stated of his 2022 exercise with Boston. “Simply my skill to sort of influence the sport in numerous methods, whether or not that be capturing, passing, dribbling, or simply my IQ.

“And so they felt like I might get a little bit stronger, a little bit faster, a little bit extra explosive a few years in the past. And that’s sort of what I attempted to enhance on these final two years at Creighton, and I really feel like I did that.”

Two years and two deep event runs with the Bluejays later, Scheierman obtained again within the gymnasium with the Celtics. And this time, it panned out.

“For a small city child to have a dream like this after which see it come to fruition is basically particular to be a part of,” stated McDermott, who attended Scheierman’s Draft Night time gathering.

Boston chosen Scheierman with the No. 30 decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, investing in his continued development as a participant.

“As I advised Brad Stevens final night time, he obtained one,” stated McDermott. “And Baylor impacts the sport and loves the sport in lots of methods.”

With the NBA’s new two-day draft format, Scheierman was left on the sting of his seat as decide after decide flew by. Terrence Shannon Jr. to the Minnesota Timberwolves at 27. Ryan Dunn to the Phoenix Suns at 28. Isaiah Collier to the Utah Jazz at 29. Earlier than he knew it, there was just one decide left, and his title had but to be known as.

“We had been speaking a little bit bit about what the plan was going to be for right this moment if it didn’t work out,” McDermott stated with a chuckle. “However I’m simply actually glad for Baylor, and likewise glad for the Celtics.”

Groups forward of the Celtics preferred Scheierman. They advised him as a lot. However they went in different instructions, clearing a pathway for Stevens to make his first first-round choice since taking on as President of Basketball Operations.

“I used to be positively assured coming into Draft Night time that I used to be gonna get picked that first night time,” Scheierman stated. “I assumed I had an incredible pre-draft course of. And there have been a number of groups that had been taken with me earlier than the Celtics, and I assumed there was likelihood.

“However my agent did job of simply telling me [that] there’s lots of issues that may occur on Draft Night time. And on the finish of the day, every thing occurs for a motive. I’m precisely the place I’m presupposed to be. So, I’m tremendous excited to be right here.”

Now, Scheierman is able to throw himself headfirst into Celtics tradition.

All yr, and particularly since profitable Banner 18, the staff has been screaming out “Completely different Right here” to whoever will pay attention. When the rookies stepped into the constructing, it was one of many first messages they despatched to them, in accordance with fellow first-year Anton Watson.

Scheierman understands how actually completely different it’s in Boston, and he’s desperate to be part of it.

“Simply tremendous excited to be part of this group,” Scheierman stated. “Clearly, the very best group in basketball. And an incredible fan base. The most effective within the NBA. And so, simply tremendous excited to be part of that and simply get to work.”

And thru his first few Summer time League practices, he’s bringing the identical fireplace that he’s carried with him his complete life.

“The factor that involves thoughts with Baylor is he’s only a competitor, and I believe that’s nice,” stated Celtics assistant and Summer time League head coach DJ MacLeay. “I believe seeing him compete on a day-to-day foundation and having an open-mindedness to what we do right here is one thing that he’s performed an incredible job of within the first two days.”

However maybe extra importantly, he doesn’t need to step on what the staff already has.

On the commerce deadline, Stevens expressed the significance of not subtracting by addition. “If you add gamers to your staff, they will add to your staff or take away out of your staff,” Stevens stated. “You’ve simply obtained to watch out.”

As evidenced by their seamless, drama-less run to an NBA Championship, the Celtics embodied every thing an ideal sports activities locker room needs to be. Not solely does Scheierman see and recognize that, but it surely’s considered one of issues he’s most enthusiastic about.

“I simply actually preferred the staff chemistry that they’ve,” Scheierman stated. “All people performs a task, and they’re actually good at, it’s a staff sport, they usually perceive that, they usually’re at all times deflecting credit score to 1 one other, and that’s the way it needs to be. The sport of basketball is clearly a staff sport, and clearly, they’ve super gamers as nicely, which is why they had been in a position to win the NBA championship.

“However the staff chemistry is one thing that basically caught out to me, and I believe that’s one thing that I can are available in and likewise simply add to that as nicely. Sort of simply being a connector and simply with the ability to influence the sport in any means I can to assist them win.”

And based mostly on the way in which he’s interacted together with his previous groups, he ought to discover no points with the Celtics.

“Baylor’s like this connector,” Henderson stated. “He would hang around with so many various guys on the staff. He had a persona that might relate to many individuals.”

Scheierman possesses the precise sort of persona that Boston ought to need of their locker room.

“He simply had that distinctive confidence about him that he was snug round anyone, and it was enjoyable to see him work together with all completely different teammates,” stated Henderson.

After years of falling brief, the Celtics lastly obtained the job performed this yr. Trophies had been introduced on the TD Backyard ground, confetti littered the town’s streets, and at first of subsequent season, a brand new banner might be raised into the rafters.

That staff might be ceaselessly cemented in franchise lore, however they don’t need the run to finish there. And neither does the fanbase.

The love that Bostonians confirmed the Celtics en path to Banner 18 was as ferocious because it was solely due to the alternative impact. For nevertheless a lot the town loves their staff, they equally refuse to just accept something lower than the very best.

Each sport, quarter, and play is hit with a magnifying glass, and people expectations are solely intensified on the subject of the gamers. However Scheierman is able to impress.

“I prefer to influence profitable, whether or not that’s diving on the ground, making threes, or blocking photographs, no matter that could be,” Scheierman stated. “And I prefer to have enjoyable whereas doing it. I believe basketball, clearly, is a sport that’s meant to be loved, and so, after I’m on the market on the courtroom, I identical to to have lots of enjoyable and prefer to compete.”

Scheierman will nail a 30-foot three-point shot with the arrogance of a thousand professionals, and on the following play, he’ll sprawl out on the ground, chasing a unfastened ball that appeared ungettable.

And all of the whereas, he’ll be smiling.

“I believe he simply embraced each time that he might get on the ground,” Henderson stated. “And he had enjoyable, he smiled, he made positive others round him had been having enjoyable. And so, that’s what involves my thoughts whenever you ask that.”

Summer time League might be Scheierman’s first likelihood to point out off his expertise to Celtics trustworthy, and he’s prepared for it. He could not earn many common season minutes. He could find yourself spending a lot of the yr in Maine. However that doesn’t matter.

Scheierman’s basketball persona survives on the intersection of confidence, depth, selflessness, and pleasure. And that’s what Celtics basketball is all about.

“They’re gonna love him, and he’s gonna adore it there,” stated McDermott.