The first round of the NBA Draft was notable for the Boston Celtics picking Creighton sharpshooter Baylor Scheierman. This was the 30th overall pick, while it saw the Celtics draft a player in the opening round for the first time since 2020.
This was an interesting pick for the defending NBA champions too, who are also the favourites to retain their title in 2024/25 (you can back the Celtics using the Melbet promo code online). After all, there remain doubts about his athleticism and how his defence will fare in the NBA, while he may find it hard to crack the team’s rotation in the new season.
However, Scheierman is a solid pick who adds depth to the Celtic’ squad, while the 6 ft 6 in shooting guard has performed consistently in the NCAA. So, let’s take a closer look at Scheierman and his game!
Building on a Solid NCAA Career
Scheierman performed with distinction for Creighton last season, registering 18.5 points off 45 percent shooting and 9.0 rebounds per game. So, he played a key role in leading the Bluejays to the Sweet 16 in the 2023/24 NCAA Division 1, as he completed his fifth successful year of college basketball.
During his college career, the 23-year-old Scheierman became the first Division 1 player to score at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers.
This was a huge accomplishment, while the maturity of Scheierman’s performances in 2023/24 suggest that he’s now ready to step up to the big leagues.
What Does Scheierman Bring to the Table?
Scheierman, who will turn 24 at the start of the new NBA campaign in September, stands at 6 ft 6 in and weighs in at 205 pounds. So, he boasts excellent presence and physicality, which has seen him become increasingly dominant at college level.
Recently, he earned the distinction of making at least one three-pointer in 48 consecutive matches for the Bluejays, while his career percentage of 39% from downtown is incredibly impressive.
Back in the 2021/22 campaign, he also shot a career-best 47% of his attempted three-pointers, from a total of 5.1 efforts per game. This shooting accuracy and offensive threat at least partially offsets a perceived lack of athleticism and defensive consistency, adding some firepower to a squad that already features Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser (the latter has a team option for 2024/25 season).
Will Scheierman Sink or Swim in the NBA?
Ultimately, Boston has one of the strongest squads and team rotations in the NBA, which was key to them winning the championship title in 2023/24.
This means that Scheierman may initially be afforded time to settle in Boston and develop his game, while being used from the bench and as part of a wider load management strategy as the season progresses.
However, he will at least add some powerful and accurate shooting from the bench, potentially boosting the Celtic’s firepower throughout individual matches and enhancing their already impressive offensive threat.
