Celtics select Gonzaga forward Anton Watson in second round of NBA Draft
The Boston Celtics have made another selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the 54th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the Celtics selected 6-foot-8 forward Anton Watson out of…
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Anton Watson #22 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates a basket against the McNeese State Cowboys during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Delta Center on March 21, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Chris Gardner/Getty ImagesThe Boston Celtics have made another selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.
With the 54th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the Celtics selected 6-foot-8 forward Anton Watson out of Gonzaga. Watson earned first team All-WCC honors in his graduate season at Gonzaga, as he scored a career-best 14.5 points per game.
Watson’s calling card, however, is defense. He finished his Gonzaga career second in school history in assists with 215, trailing only basketball great John Stockton.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images<p style="font-size:10pt">LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 22: Ralph Bissainthe #1 of the Central Michigan Chippewas and Anton Watson #22 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs go after a loose ball during the Good Sam Empire Classic basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Chippewas 107-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)</p>
The Celtics on Wednesday night drafted former Creighton forward Baylor Scheierman with the 30th overall pick. So, it’s suddenly a crowded depth chart at wing behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Watson’s extensive college experience may give him a shot to play sooner rather than later. But at this point, it'll be a steep competition for minutes at forward. And that's especially if Watson is merely a defensive specialist and can't develop an NBA-caliber offensive game.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
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