Celtics coach Brad Stevens on what he saw in Semi Ojeleye when Boston drafted him out of SMU

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/smu-mustangs/smumustangs/2017/11/21/celtics-coach-brad-stevens-saw-semi-ojeleye-boston-drafted-smu



Celtics coach Brad Stevens on what he saw in Semi Ojeleye when Boston drafted him out of SMU







Tony Gutierrez/AP
Boston Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye defends as Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki of Germany works in the paint for a shot opportunity in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)





By Adam Grosbard, Staff Writer Contact Adam Grosbardon Twitter:@AdamGrosbard



Former SMU standout Semi Ojeleye made his return to Dallas Monday night for the first time as a professional. Ojeleye's Boston Celtics beat the Mavericks 110-102 in overtime, with Ojeleye playing 12 minutes in the Boston win.

 Ojeleye entered the game to a light ovation from some SMU fans in attendance and grabbed three rebounds off the bench.


Before the game, Boston head coach Brad Stevens spoke about what the Celtics saw in the former American Conference player of the year when scouting him at SMU.


"Really strong. Like as strong as anybody around. Extremely agile, light on his feet. Probably didn't realize he could guard as many positions as he can," Stevens said. "Thought he for sure could guard 2-4 with the way the NBA was trending. But even his ability to switch on to ones, he had a possession against [Steph] Curry the other night. He's had multiple possessions on fives. We need him to be able to make shots and right now kinda embrace that 3-and-D role."


Ojeleye, the 37th pick in June's NBA draft, is averaging 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game in his rookie season. He's shooting 34.2 percent from the floor and 30.0 percent from 3-point range.



bob
MY NOTE:  Like the rest of our bunch, he's 90% defense and 10% offense.  That's what is getting him minutes but we will need more offense from him later in the season and the playoffs.  We can't go far into the playoffs playing 4-on-5 on offense against good teams.  Having said this, though, I am surprised and pleased that Semi is showing enough to earn minutes.  A very pleasant surprise, to say the least. 






This is a pre-draft analysis, but it gives some idea about the athleticism Semi has.  We have seen him put the ball on the floor and go to the rim a few times this year.  In part that's because he is embracing the 3-and-D role, but if he does that more he's going to be something else.  






The kid has guarded The Freak and Dirk.  That's a pretty solid start to an NBA career.


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