The Boston Celtics are going to need depth at the point guard position going forward — preferably with enough upside that they might be able to grow into a starter role as All-Star guard Kemba Walker begins to age out of such a position in the not-too-distant future.
And with four picks — three of them first-rounders — in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Celtics could likely get to nearly anywhere in the draft should they find a willing partner who needs more bites at the apple.
With a team president with few qualms about signing guard prospects on the shorter end of the NBA range of that position, a player who’s been heating up in recent weeks could bear another look.
Tyrell Terry has reportedly put on weight, height; should Boston care? https://t.co/UzwLTRESQf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 27, 2020
That prospect would be former Stanford floor general Tyrell Terry.
Speaking with the media today at the virtual NBA Combine being conducted via telepresence in light of the ongoing pandemic, the former Cardinal shed some light on his potential suitors.
Among other teams, Terry has met with the Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
And while projected to go somewhere in the middle of the first round of the draft, reports of recent growth and added muscle has made that range perhaps a little larger.
“As far as range goes, I’m feeling great with where I’m at right now,” he offered, alluding to reports he’d grown to 6-foot-3.75 in sneakers and had bulked up from 160 to 180 pounds as well.
“I don’t know an exact range that I could be selected or will be selected,” he added. “But as far as things go, right now, I’ve been putting in a lot of work, [and] seeing a lot of results. I’m very feeling very good about where I’m at right now.”
In a league that is increasingly being dominated by shooters, Terry stands out in the 2020 class as one of the best, able to hit from all three levels with an especially good 3-point shot at 40.8%.
Jaylen Brown plans to continue using his platform for positive change https://t.co/lad81OUlD3
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 29, 2020
Asked whether shooting was an innate skill he’d been born with or something he’s been working on, the Minnesota native had a surprising answer.
“To be honest, I don’t really know how I became a good shooter,
“Growing up shooting was never really my thing. I was always a ‘pass-first’ player, even in high school. I went to Stanford and found out that I could really shoot the ball. And my coaches went with that, and put me in great positions to showcase [it].”
“To answer your question, [it] just came out of nowhere, to be honest with you.”
It must be nice to have that skill fall in one’s lap.
But the biggest red flag for Terry’s future has never been his shooting, nor his overall game — he’s widely regarded as one of the smartest and highest basketball-IQ guys in the draft — but instead has been his shorter stature and slight frame.
Fox’s Chris Broussard thinks Miami’s tenacity, coaching won out vs Cs https://t.co/tlxDk4HGgV
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 29, 2020
Having added more than an inch to his height and considerable heft to match it, his stock may start to rise.
“The biggest thing that I’m working on is obviously my body,” explained the Stanford product.
“If we’re talking about normal work, I think the collegiate level or the NBA level … [I] learn from other guys … change of pace, different ball screen techniques, passing out a ball screens; a lot of things that are a lot different than the collegiate level as far as spacing reads.”
“Those are the biggest things I’m working on at this moment,” he added.
With the high-character, high-IQ, elite-skill profile and overall game possessed by Terry, it makes sense they have him on their radar.
But as to whether he ever dons the green and white, well — only time will tell.
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