16 potential Celtics targets to watch in the Sweet 16

In the event you’re a basketball fan, there’s a reasonably good probability you already know about Cooper Flagg.

You additionally comprehend it’s extremely unlikely Flagg will be part of the Celtics subsequent 12 months, barring a really gorgeous twist or a blockbuster commerce.

Nevertheless, there are many different stars taking part in within the Candy 16 of March Insanity that might be ultimate matches in Boston. Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at a few of these names, in viewing order from Thursday to Friday, with an eye fixed towards the NBA Draft.

Egor Demin, BYU — Demin looks like a Celtic to me. A 6-foot-9-inch combo guard who might be finest on the level, he has an elite really feel for the sport and makes his teammates higher. Capturing is a reputable concern (28.1 p.c from 3), however he’s averaging 5.4 assists and is nice for a pair magical dimes a sport.

Labaron Philon, Alabama — He’s electrical with the ball in his palms and has somewhat little bit of Tyrese Maxey in him. On a veteran Crimson Tide workforce, the freshman Philon has earned a beginning position and emerged as a catalyst. He’s averaging 3.7 assists per sport, is a pest defensively and pairs effectively with star guard Mark Sears.

Mark Sears, Alabama — There’s some debate about whether or not Sears has what it takes to play within the NBA, however anybody who averages 18.6 factors, 5 assists and three rebounds, has that type of basketball IQ and finishes with the most effective of them can play for my workforce. Jalen Brunson is the plain comparability. Sears’ ceiling is probably not as excessive, however he’s a winner who performs with an edge.

Derik Queen, Maryland – Queen, an overwhelming, 6-foot-10-inch, 240-pound freshman middle, instantly cemented his spot in March Insanity lore with a buzzer-beater towards Colorado State. He’s averaging 16.2 factors, 9.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per sport whereas taking pictures 52.9 p.c from the ground. Queen has elite footwork within the paint and loads of finesse to match his simple energy. The Celtics would possible should commerce as much as get him, however he may fill a necessity.

Alex Condon, Florida — Condon is 6’11, however he performs like he’s 7’2. He has some Donovan Clingan in him, although he isn’t fairly as dominant or menacing. He has a little bit of an unconventional type, however he’s efficient each inside and outside and is averaging 1.4 blocks per sport. At a minimal, he may present depth long run; his ceiling, nonetheless, is sort of excessive.

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida — Very like many gamers on this checklist, Clayton began his profession at a small faculty (Iona) and has since damaged out on a giant stage. He’s averaging 17.9 factors, 4.2 assists and three.8 rebounds and is somebody you need to have the ball within the sport’s defining moments. There are some questions on how his sport will translate, however he may present a raise as a bodily and savvy backup guard.

Kon Knueppel, Duke — Flagg is with out query Duke’s finest participant, however he has loads of assistance on a star-studded roster. It begins with Knueppel, a sharpshooting freshman who’s each taller (6’7) and more durable than he appears to be like. He’s one other participant the Celtics would possible have to commerce as much as get, so it’s unlikely it will occur. Even so, he’s value keeping track of as somebody who ought to have an extended and fruitful NBA profession.

Khaman Maluach, Duke — Maluach, a 7-foot-2-inch, 250-pound middle is projected to go early within the first spherical, however we will’t eradicate the Celtics as a chance totally when Brad Stevens is concerned. Maluach is a drive on the rim, averaging 1.2 blocks per sport, however he additionally shoots 77.6 p.c from the free-throw line – a formidable mark for somebody his measurement. He has excessive ground and a excessive ceiling.

Isaiah Evans, Duke — Out of all of the choices on Duke, Evans will be the most real looking and in the end the most effective match. The Celtics may use one other wing, and Evans is a knockdown shooter with an important really feel for the sport. He’s taking pictures 41.8 p.c from 3-point vary and is able to going off at any second.

Carter Bryant, Arizona — Bryant’s stats (6.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 1 help) aren’t eye-popping, however he has an important NBA construct at 6’8, 220, and remains to be a freshman. He’s taking pictures 47.6 p.c from the ground and 37.4 p.c from 3 in 19.1 minutes per sport. He tasks as a 3-and-D man who may complement Sam Hauser effectively long run.

Boogie Fland, Arkansas — Don’t let title idiot you; Boogie could be an excellent decide (sorry, I needed to). Arkansas isn’t precisely your typical Cinderella, however as the one double-digit seed left, the Razorbacks are technically the darkish horse of this match. Fland, who missed a part of the season with a thumb harm, is again and shortly discovering his groove. A 6-foot-2-inch freshman guard with an important burst, he creates off the dribble and has a knack for drawing doubles and discovering open teammates.

Adou Thiero, Arkansas — He adopted John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas and has shot 54.8 p.c in a productive season. Thiero is 6’8 and is able to bodying facilities and sticking with guards as wanted. Capturing is an space to observe, however he will get to the rim with relative ease. The Celtics may use one other elite on-ball defender, and Theiro could also be a pleasant match.

Jase Richardson, Michigan State — His inventory is rising day by day, however there’s at all times an opportunity he may slip to late within the first spherical and grow to be a steal for a workforce just like the Celtics. Richardson, a 6-foot-3 guard (sure, the son of Jason Richardson), is gaining confidence by the sport with the Spartans. He’s shifty, has an important motor and may actually shoot it.

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee — The Celtics love shooters who play with a chip on their shoulder and by no means cease competing. Howdy, Chaz Lanier. After 4 productive years at North Florida, Lanier has grow to be a family title this 12 months. He has one of the vital pure soar photographs within the nation and can also be a tenacious on-ball defender. I feel he’ll be an excellent professional for a very long time and is somebody I may actually see taking part in in Boston.

Johni Broome, Auburn — Broome is without doubt one of the finest tales in faculty basketball. He began his profession at Morehead State, transferred to Auburn and has since blossomed into probably the greatest gamers within the nation. His finest asset, for my part, is his footwork. He’s a kind of gamers the place you already know he’s nearly at all times going again to the left, however you continue to can’t cease it. The following step for him is creating his 3-point shot, however he’s cash from contained in the arc and a bull within the paint.

Danny Wolf, Michigan — Wolf is without doubt one of the extra intriguing gamers right here. You may’t educate 7 toes and legit taking pictures capacity. Assume Kelly Olynyk meets Tyler Zeller, however with maybe a bit much less craftiness than Kelly (Kelly’s fairly good!). Out of anybody on this checklist, Wolf could also be probably the greatest matches from a method and personnel standpoint.

Different names to know — Darrion Williams (Texas Tech), Koby Brea (Kentucky), Miles Kelly (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)