Celtics go local with latest free agent signing

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics will not stop making moves.

And their latest one comes with local flavor, as the Celtics have signed Haverhill, Mass. native Noah Vonleh to a one-year contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Vonleh’s deal sounds like a training camp deal more than anything else, as it comes with the 26-year-old hoping to make the team out of camp, per Woj.

The No. 9 overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft, Vonleh’s NBA return comes after a 2021-22 season spent with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. In China, the 6-foot-9 Vonleh averaged 14.4 points (on 45.1 percent shooting), along with 9.2 rebounds and 1.3 block, per game over a 28-game run with the Sharks.

Prior to his time in the CBA, Vonleh appeared in 339 games over seven seasons and between seven different organizations. His most recent NBA experience came back in 2020-21 in a four-game run with the Brooklyn Nets.

Vonleh’s best NBA run came as a member of the 2018-19 New York Knicks, with a career-high 57 starts, as well as career-best marks in points per game (8.7) and rebounds per game (7.8).

• Denver Nuggets v Toronto Raptors

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  LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Noah Vonleh #32 of the Denver Nuggets drives the ball against Stanley Johnson #5 of the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 14, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors

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  SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Alec Burks #8 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Noah Vonleh #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on December 23, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

• NBA: Minnesota Timebrwolves-Media Day

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  Sep 30, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Noah Vonleh (1) poses for pictures during media day at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
• NBA: New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers

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  Mar 3, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) defends a shot. by New York Knicks forward Noah Vonleh (32) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.