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On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics selected Pac-12 Player of the Year Payton Pritchard from the University of Oregon with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Pritchard was most commonly projected to be a second-round pick but a strong showing during the pre-draft process helped improve his stock. In fact, a report surfaced last month that indicated Pritchard may have even received a first-round promise from a team.
Following the selection, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard congratulated Pritchard on social media for his hard work to be drafted by the Celtics with the 26th pick in the first round.
Congrats to Payton Pritchard ! Youngin work his ass off and earned it!
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) November 19, 2020
Pritchard averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season as a senior. He shot 46.8% from the field, including 41.5% from 3-point range on 6.8 attempts per game. He has proven to be a winner to this point of his career and the Celtics certainly valued that.
The 22-year-old was viewed by some as a player that can potentially contribute immediately, which could have been the attraction by the Celtics. He could help give the team additional depth off the bench behind Kemba Walker during stretches next season.
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