With the thirtieth decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics chosen Creighton wing Baylor Scheierman. However earlier than he was a Blue Jay, he was a South Dakota State Jackrabbit.
And earlier than Boston labored him out forward of the 2024 NBA Draft, they introduced him in two years in the past.
“The primary time coming by way of, clearly, was a few years in the past,” Scheierman stated throughout his introductory press convention with the Celtics. “They actually preferred my sport. Simply my means to form of influence the sport in several methods, whether or not that be capturing, passing, dribbling, or simply my IQ. They usually felt like I may get somewhat stronger, somewhat faster, somewhat extra explosive a few years in the past.
“That’s form of what I attempted to enhance on these final two years at Creighton, and I really feel like I did that, which form of put me within the place to be the place I’m proper now.”
After figuring out with the Celtics earlier than the 2022 NBA Draft, Scheierman bought again within the lab. He transferred to Creighton in hopes of continuous his growth, and that’s precisely what occurred.
Scheierman’s numbers improved annually with the Jackrabbits, and whereas they took a dip in his first season with the Bule Jays, they jumped proper again up. In his fifth and ultimate collegiate season, Scheierman put up the perfect numbers of his faculty profession.
He averaged 18.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, and three.9 assists whereas capturing 44.8% from the sector and 38.1% from behind the three-point line.
Picture by Mitchell Layton/Getty Pictures
Using his earlier pre-draft course of as a springboard, Scheierman took full benefit of his time at Creighton to place himself into the place he’s in immediately.
“I believe it form of simply opened up my eyes, that my first time figuring out, form of simply what I wanted to enhance on, and form of what the NBA sport was form of all about,” Scheierman stated.
“After which clearly, these final two years at Creighton form of simply actually engaged on that, and the flexibility to come back on this yr and form of simply show that I’ve grown as a participant and as an individual, and I believe that actually helped me, clearly, all through this course of and ending up getting chosen.”
On draft night time, with 29 picks gone, Scheierman was nonetheless ready to listen to his identify. And with the NBA Draft’s new two-day format in impact, he was one choice away from having to convey his family and friends again to a second day of anticipation.
That’s when he bought the decision.
“I used to be very anxious coming in direction of the top of the primary spherical,” Scheierman stated. “And clearly, [I] bought the telephone name there whereas the Celtics had been on the clock. And as quickly as I bought the telephone name, I used to be tremendous excited.
“Clearly, being picked by this group that simply got here off an NBA championship, a corporation that, clearly, doesn’t simply decide anyone to come back into their group, it was an honor that they felt assured sufficient to select me and felt like I may are available in and simply influence the group in any means I can and attempt to assist them simply proceed this tradition that they have already got set.”
As soon as the Celtics made their decide, Scheierman heard from his new teammates. Brad Stevens, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Joe Mazulla all reached out to the rookie to welcome him to Boston.
“Final night time, Brad reached out to me,” Scheierman stated. “And clearly, I talked to him my first time working on the market, after which clearly this previous time working on the market as properly. Had a few of the guys attain out. Jayson and Al reached out, and Coach Mazzulla as properly. And that meant lots to me.
“I’m clearly actually excited to get there and meet everyone and my new teammates and actually simply attempt to be a sponge and be taught from everyone and attempt to consumption as a lot data as I can that may assist me develop as a participant within the NBA.”
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And as a lot as Scheierman loves the model of basketball Boston performs, he loves the best way the group carries itself much more.
“I simply actually preferred the group chemistry that they’ve,” he stated. “All people performs a job, and they’re actually good at. It’s a group sport, they usually perceive that, they usually’re all the time deflecting credit score to 1 one other, and that’s the way it needs to be. The sport of basketball is clearly a group sport, and clearly, they’ve large gamers as properly, which is why they had been capable of win the NBA championship.
“However the group chemistry is one thing that actually caught out to me, and I believe that’s one thing that I can are available in and likewise simply add to that as properly. Sort of simply being a connector and simply with the ability to influence the sport in any means I can to assist them win.”
Now, with the Celtics, Scheierman is hoping to translate his all-around talent set into an impactful profession. He’s the one NCAA Division I basketball participant ever with 2,000 factors, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers. Clearly, 5 years of school ball helps these stats, however his well-rounded sport shines by way of, regardless.
Contemporary off a title, Boston’s rotation is pretty set. However Scheierman isn’t anxious about becoming in. The latest Celtic desires to do three issues: Win, hustle, and luxuriate in enjoying basketball.
“I’m a tough employee. I wish to work, and I wish to compete,” Scheierman stated. “I like to only influence the sport in any means I can. [I] wish to influence profitable, whether or not that’s diving on the ground, making threes, or blocking pictures, no matter that is perhaps. And I wish to have enjoyable whereas doing it.
“I believe basketball, clearly, is a sport that’s meant to be loved, and so, after I’m on the market on the courtroom, I identical to to have quite a lot of enjoyable and wish to compete.”