Some international possiblities on Celtics draft radar

CSNE

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY


BOSTON – When it comes to international players coming into the NBA, the narrative is always one shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.

How good was the talent they faced?

Can their skills translate to the NBA?

Those are some of the same questions most NBA teams have about most draft prospects, but the body of work NBA teams operate from when it comes to players overseas is generally smaller than that of an All-American from, say, Duke or Kentucky, or a mid-major school.

While this year’s crop of international talent isn’t particularly deep, there’s likely to be at least three international players taken in the lottery (top-14).

Emmanuel Mudiay, a 6-foot-5 combo guard from the Congo (he played last season in China rather than attend SMU), Latvian 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis and 6-8 swingman Mario Hezonja are all projected as lottery picks in the June 25 NBA draft.

After those three come off the board, a run on international players isn’t expected to come until near the end of the first round, at the earliest.

There’s a chance that the Celtics will use their second first-round pick (28th overall) on an international player, but a more likely scenario would see them using one of their second-round picks (33rd and 48th overall) instead.

Second-round picks aren’t exactly seen as impact players, but recent drafts have proven otherwise.

Golden State’s Draymond Green was selected by the Warriors with the No. 35 pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft.

And San Antonio All-Star Manu Ginobili was selected by the Spurs in the 1999 NBA draft with the 57th overall pick. He didn’t join the Spurs until four years later, but all would agree that the wait was well worth it.

Regardless of what has transpired in the past, the Celtics have to add talent wherever they can find it.

And if that means taking a flyer on a player from overseas, so be it.

Short of moving up into the lottery, here are the most likely international players that will potentially be on the Celtics’ radar with their four – two in the first round, two in the second – draft picks this year:


TIMOTHE LUWAWU, FRANCE

Height, Weight, Position: 6-foot-7, 205, small forward

Strengths: Long arms; athleticism provides great potential defensively; attacks rim going to his left or right.

Weaknesses: Level of competition raises concerns; only 19 years old, lacks experience; needs to get stronger.

Projected draft position: Late first-round, early second.


CEDI OSMAN, TURKEY

Height, Weight, Position: 6-foot-8, 215, small forward-shooting guard

Strengths: Runs the floor well; attacks rim off the dribble; defense.

Weaknesses: Physical strength; shooting mechanics; getting teammates involved.

Projected draft position: Early to middle of second round.


ALEKSANDER VEZENKOV, BULGARIA

Height, Weight, Position: 6-foot-9, 225, power forward-small forward

Strengths: Good shooter; excellent shot mechanics; high basketball IQ.

Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger; lateral quickness not there; defense needs lots of work.

Projected draft position: Middle to late second-round.



MOUHAMMADOU JAITEH, FRANCE

Height, Weight, Position: 6-foot-11, 250, center-power forward

Strengths: NBA body; good offensive rebounder; 7-4 wing span.

Weaknesses: Limited low-post game; lateral quickness; has trouble catching passes cleanly.

Projected draft position: Middle to late second-round.

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