Celtics’ draft pick has a high-energy motor
After doing his best impression of Bill Belichick with multiple tradedowns in the NBA Draft on Thursday night, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens finally made a selection with one of his second-round picks.
With the 38th overall pick, the Celtics selected 6-foot-7-inch wing Jordan Walsh from the University of Arkansas.
Walsh, 19, was a five-star recruit from the Dallas area before having an up-and-down freshman season with the Razorbacks. He is a raw prospect, but his strengths could see him develop into an effective role player.
Here are five things to know about the Celtics’ draft pick:
1. He should provide energy and stout defense
Walsh might need to polish his overall game but his energy and defensive intensity stood out throughout his freshman season. With a 7-foot-3-inch wingspan, he is a versatile defender who flies all over the court, slows players on the perimeter, and is not afraid to scrap in the paint.
During ESPN’s draft broadcast, analyst Jay Bilas noted that Walsh allowed only 34 percent shooting as a primary defender in college.
If his game rounds out, Walsh could establish himself as a tireless defender and spark plug off the bench who makes winning plays thanks to a high motor, second effort, and scrappy play.
2. He needs to work on his offense
Walsh might carve out dependable minutes only if he becomes a more effective threat on offense.
In college, he did plenty of damage in transition, but easy lobs and layups will be much harder to come by.
Walsh has sound shooting form, but that didn’t lead to tangible results at Arkansas. He averaged 7.1 points per game, making just 27.8 percent of his 3point attempts.
The Ringer’s draft profile had him with shades of a “supercharged Jae Crowder.” But a smooth shooting form doesn’t mean all that much if you don’t consistently sink shots from deep.
3. He struggled to find a role at Arkansas
A highly touted prospect coming out of Link Academy in Branson, Mo., Walsh spent the majority of his one college season trying to settle into a defined spot on a talented squad.
On a team that also featured firstround picks Anthony Black (selected No. 6 overall by Orlando) and Nick Smith Jr. (No. 27 by Charlotte), Walsh logged the sixth-most minutes, starting 22 of his 35 games.
With Black and Ricky Council IV shouldering most of the scoring burden, Walsh had to alter his game — a far cry from the role he had as a recruit and McDonald’s All-American in 2022. Still, he played a key role in Arkansas’s run to the Sweet 16, which included an upset win over No. 1 Kansas.
4. His energy on the court led to bad habits
Walsh’s motor often led to him winning 50-50 balls with diving plays and scraps for offensive rebounds. But that high-octane energy also got him in foul trouble. In 35 games, he fouled out in eight.
Harnessing that defensive intensity without racking up reach-in fouls and other infractions will be one of the many learning curves he will face.
5. He has raised awareness about alopecia
From an early age, Walsh has dealt with alopecia — a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss.
Walsh is one of many pro athletes who have the condition, including former NBA forward Charlie Villanueva and ex-NFL linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Walsh has served as a resource for others who are dealing with it. In October, he and Arkansas women’s basketball guard Rylee Langerman, who also has the condition, helped celebrate the release of “Beanies, Ball Caps, and Being Bald,” a book that details the story of a boy from Arkansas who has alopecia.