The Boston Celtics have completed their preparation camp list for the 2022-23 season by including Justin Jackson, Jake Layman, Luka Samanic, Brodric Thomas, Denzel Valentine, and Noah Vonleh to the list.
Jackson (6-8, 220), 27, has maintained an average of 6.5 points (42.6% FG, 32.1% 3-PT, 79.9% FT), 2.5 rebounds, and 18.7 minutes in 255 career games (61 starts) across five NBA seasons. He spent the 2021-22 season with two NBA promotions to Boston and to Phoenix while performing for the Texas Legends of the NBA G-League where he averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.33 steals while shooting 37.7 percent from three in 38 games.
Layman (6-8, 209), 28, has participated in six NBA seasons divided between Portland and Minnesota where he has been featured in 243 career games with averages of 4.8 points (46.0% FG, 30.0% 3-PT, 71.9% FT) and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. The Norwood, MA native was initially chosen by the Orlando Magic with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft.
Samanic (6-10, 215), 22, spent the prior season playing for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G-League where he maintained an average of 27.9 points (54.8% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 87.0% FT), 10.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.3 minutes per game. The 19th overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft by San Antonio has been showcased in 36 career games in the NBA in San Antonio with career averages of 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds.
Thomas (6-5, 185), 25, spent the previous season as one of the Celtics’ two-way players where he maintained an average of 15.7 points (45.7% FG, 38.7% 3-PT, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.72 steals in 30.6 minutes per game for the Maine Celtics. Thomas also played in 12 games for the Celtics last season.
Valentine (6-4, 220), 28, has been showcased in 256 career games in the NBA averaging 7.0 points (39.4% FG, 36.0% 3-PT, 78.7% FT), 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.8 minutes per game. The former 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by Chicago spent last season divided between Cleveland and Utah in the NBA while also spending time with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G-League. While in Maine, Valentine maintained an average of 14.6 points (44.0% FG, 35.2% 3-PT, 78.6% FT), 10.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 12 games.
Vonleh (6-10, 257), 27, performed last season for the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association where he maintained an average of 14.4 points (45.1% FG, 38.8% 3-PT, 71.6% FT), 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.75 steals and 1.32 blocks per game in 28 appearances. The former ninth overall selection by Charlotte in 2014 was born in Salem, MA and has been showcased in 339 career NBA games divided between Charlotte, Portland, New York, Minnesota, Chicago, Denver, and Brooklyn.
Boston initiates preseason action against the Hornets at TD Garden on Oct. 2, its first of four preseason contests.
Image Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock
