With training camp still some ways off in the future for the looming 2024-25 NBA season, fans of the Boston Celtics are, by and large, not thinking about the 2025 NBA draft very much. But there is an entire industry built around projecting what all 30 teams in the league will do when that summer’s big day finally rolls around.
And among the best out there at doing this sort of work in Bleacher Report league analyst Jonathan Wasserman, who recently put together a new, post-2024 Paris Olympics mock draft. In it, he has a player in mind for the Celtics to take with a first round selection seen as likely to fall at No. 30 in the first round of the draft.
And we couldn’t be more excited for a key member of the University of Connecticut’s last two NCAA title squads to be the selection the B/R expert has in mind for Boston. Yes, we are talking about forward Alex Karaban, how did you know? “Karaban is going for three consecutive national titles and first-round interest after NBA combine feedback likely pushed him to return to UConn,” writes Wasserman.
Celtics Lab 276: A closer look at the Olympics, Team USA, and the Celtics with Noa Dalzell https://t.co/8pKriN9TpA pic.twitter.com/BxWhKDs48x
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 5, 2024
The Husky forward is cut from similar cloth as Sam Hauser, which is probably why “there will continue to be some skepticism over his athletic limitations and lack of physicality inside to play the 4.”
“However, Karaban’s 147 made 3-pointers through two seasons is his main selling point, but he also shows off-ball scoring feel and defensive IQ/toughness.”
Sounds very familiar, speaking of Hauser — and we would be very happy with such a selection at this late spot in the draft.
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