BRIGHTON — Miles Norris was on his approach dwelling from a G-League sport in Santa Cruz when he acquired the decision from his agent: the Celtics needed to signal him as their third two-way participant.
“He mentioned, ‘Go dwelling, pack up, be able to go within the morning,’” Norris recalled, talking to reporters for the primary time as a Celtic. “I packed as a lot as I may. It’s good to be right here.”
The decision was a very long time coming.
Miles Norris, who was undrafted, shared when he discovered about his Celtics two-way contract:
“I used to be truly on the connecting flight again from Santa Cruz G League sport. My agent known as me actual fast. He mentioned, ‘Go dwelling, pack up, be able to go within the morning.” pic.twitter.com/YNCUZqNzBs
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
Norris went undrafted in 2023 after a collegiate profession that included stints in Oregon, CC of San Francisco, and UC Santa Barbara. He’s bounced round within the G League ever since, spending final season with the School Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, and this season with the Memphis Hustle.
On Monday, he toured the Auerbach Middle for the primary time and accomplished his bodily. On Tuesday, he met Joe Mazzulla and the remainder of the Celtics employees and gamers, becoming a member of the staff for a morning movie session that was sufficient to focus on that the Celtics have been a profitable group.
“It looks as if they’re a extremely related group,” Norris mentioned. “I’m actually excited to be part of that. Some locker rooms are a bit of completely different. It looks as if they’ve a extremely robust connection chemistry-wise and within the locker room.”
Norris has one pre-existing relationship with a veteran Celtic: Payton Pritchard, who he was teammates together with his freshman 12 months at Oregon in 2019.
The 2 acquired to briefly make amends for Tuesday morning.
“Payton’s an awesome man,” Norris mentioned. “It’s good to see him once more, good to be again taking part in with him once more after faculty. Small world. It’s like a full-circle second for me and Payton.”
Norris can be aware of Mazzulla, however within the very restricted approach that most individuals within the basketball world are — from seeing his viral press convention moments on Instagram.
“A number of the press conferences with him are fairly humorous,” Norris mentioned with a smile. “However he’s a very good dude. An intense coach, however he additionally has a humorousness to him, so I like that.”
Norris went to Brewster Academy for highschool, which is a pair hours from Boston in New Hampshire. He’s been to Boston a number of occasions, and mentioned his early impressions have been optimistic.
“I like the town of Boston,” Norris mentioned. “I’ve been right here a pair occasions. I’m gonna get used to the chilly climate, although, as a result of I’m a California man, so gotta get used to the chilly. However, I find it irresistible out right here, to this point – I like the individuals, teaching employees, the entire group.”
Miles Norris is blissful to be right here:
“I like the town of Boston. I have been right here a pair occasions. I am gonna get used to the chilly climate, although, as a result of I am a California man… however, I find it irresistible out right here, to this point – I like the individuals, teaching employees, the entire group.” pic.twitter.com/Vfkp2QCBd8
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
What stood out to the Celtics about Miles Norris
Norris has had an excellent 12 months for the Hustle. He’s averaging 17.1 factors, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, whereas capturing 38.5% from three. Mazzulla mentioned that Norris’s size, athleticism, and capturing skill all stood because the Celtics opted to signal him.
Mazzulla additionally mentioned that his earlier historical past of taking part in with Pritchard helped give the Celtics added confidence within the signing.
“If you recognize guys that know different guys they usually can vouch for them, how they’re, particularly within the locker room, how they’re outdoors of the ground, it positively helps,” Mazzulla mentioned.
Joe Mazzulla on why the Celtics signed Miles Norris:
“His size, his athleticism, he’s proven a good skill to shoot the ball.”
Additionally provides that he’s somebody Payton Pritchard vouched for as they have been faculty teammates pic.twitter.com/xfrVsPUb7W
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
Norris’s pleasure was palpable throughout his transient dialog with reporters; in reality, he used the phrase “excited” 12 occasions within the 5-minute interview.
That pleasure is comprehensible; that is the 24-year-old’s first time on a two-way contract, and it appears he may very well be an awesome match.
Jon Rosen, who offers coloration commentary for the Hustle, informed CelticsBlog he believes he’ll seamlessly combine into the Celtics’ three-point-heavy offense.
“Miles is ideal for the Celtics,” Rosen mentioned. “He’s a shooter. He does present his athleticism once in a while and he’ll hammer one down, [he’s a] right-handed dunker… Miles Norris will completely shoot the duvet off the ball, and he shoots it a ton.”
Most two-way gamers spend most of their time with the G League membership, and it sounds prefer it’s up within the air for Norris proper now. However, for a man who didn’t hear his title on draft evening, and has but to signal a two-way, it was apparent this was a momumental second.
“I’ve been taking part in nicely all season, simply type of sticking it out within the G League, ready for my name — management what I can management,” Norris mentioned. “However it’s actually good to be right here in Boston. Like I mentioned, a profitable tradition. I’m simply actually excited to be a part of this group.”
