The Boston Celtics acquired Tremont Waters with the 51st pick in the 2019 NBA draft, so the first reaction may be to dismiss this young man as a late second-rounder. Not so fast. The information below by Tomek Kordylewski came as a surprise to me, possibly because most of us don't pay a lot of attention to late second-rounders.
We may remember that Isaiah Thomas was the "last kid picked" at #60 in 2011 - as late a 2nd round pick as you can get. The 5'11" Waters was solid in Summer League for the Celtics, averaging 10.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.0 RPG and 2.0 SPG in only 22.5 minutes of floor time. He has been signed by Boston as a two-way player - meaning he will split time between the G-League Maine Red Claws and the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics fans need to support this youngster. Here is the analysis on his college play via NBA.Com:
Waters has everything but length. He scores, passes, makes steals and defends. We saw much of this in Summer League. Oh - and one more thing. Tremont's dad committed suicide on July 12, 2019. He played a tournament game for Boston in Summer League the very next day and scored 16 points in a losing cause. That shows fortitude and courage. He possesses every needed quality of an NBA player expect height.
These are the reasons I will be rooting for Tremont Waters this season, both in Maine, in Boston and on the road. As a former Police Investigator, I covered many suicides and found that in most cases, the individuals that actually succeed in the final act are fine individuals that have a hard time dealing with the issues of the world.
I am writing this piece on both a professional and personal basis. The manner of his dad's death will haunt Tremont for a long, long time. I truly believe he was chosen by the right team. I believe Waters can make it in the NBA on skills and determination alone, but doing so may ease some of the pain he feels. That is why I am rooting for him.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
Did you know that Tremont Waters was named SEC Defensive Player of Year last year at @LSUBasketball? He lead the SEC in steals average with 2.9 per game (4th in the nation). pic.twitter.com/4QSorC6ZQG
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) September 6, 2019
We may remember that Isaiah Thomas was the "last kid picked" at #60 in 2011 - as late a 2nd round pick as you can get. The 5'11" Waters was solid in Summer League for the Celtics, averaging 10.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.0 RPG and 2.0 SPG in only 22.5 minutes of floor time. He has been signed by Boston as a two-way player - meaning he will split time between the G-League Maine Red Claws and the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics fans need to support this youngster. Here is the analysis on his college play via NBA.Com:
Sophomore (2018-19)
Led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally in steals (2.91 spg).
Set a school record with 96 steals.
Ranked second in the SEC in assists (5.8 apg)
Led a talented LSU team in scoring (15.3 ppg).
Scored a season-high 36 points at Texas A&M (Jan. 30).
Hit a game-winning layup with 1.6 seconds left to beat Maryland and help LSU reach the Sweet 16.
Strengths
Talented scorer and playmaker with exceptional quickness.
Plays with confidence.
Shows terrific vision off the bounce.
Pesky defender with a knack for generating steals.
Waters has everything but length. He scores, passes, makes steals and defends. We saw much of this in Summer League. Oh - and one more thing. Tremont's dad committed suicide on July 12, 2019. He played a tournament game for Boston in Summer League the very next day and scored 16 points in a losing cause. That shows fortitude and courage. He possesses every needed quality of an NBA player expect height.
These are the reasons I will be rooting for Tremont Waters this season, both in Maine, in Boston and on the road. As a former Police Investigator, I covered many suicides and found that in most cases, the individuals that actually succeed in the final act are fine individuals that have a hard time dealing with the issues of the world.
I am writing this piece on both a professional and personal basis. The manner of his dad's death will haunt Tremont for a long, long time. I truly believe he was chosen by the right team. I believe Waters can make it in the NBA on skills and determination alone, but doing so may ease some of the pain he feels. That is why I am rooting for him.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center
Comments
Post a Comment