The Celtics have drafted forward Dillon Mitchell with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft. Mitchell spent four years in college, averaging 8.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists for St. John’s last season. Before that, he played at the University of Texas for two years and at the University of Cincinnati for one.
In college, Mitchell played a glue guy connector role and a highly versatile defender who can rebound well and run the floor. He is 6’8 with a 7’4 wing span and is known for his elite athleticism. ESPN’s mock draft had him going 38th, while the Ringer’s had him going 39th, so his being drafted at 40th is right in line with what was projected.
Mitchell will join a long list of young wings on the Celtics, a list that includes Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Ron Harper Jr.
Right now, Mitchell’s biggest weakness is shooting; he went 11-57 from three in college and shot just 48.8% from the free-throw line. The Celtics will likely have to help him entirely overhaul his shot in order for his play to translate to the next level.
Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. are the Celtics’ two draft selections
The Celtics drafted Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick on Tuesday night. Cenac Jr., who is 19 years old, is a forward out of Houston that Brad Stevens described as energetic and athletic. He has a penchant for rebounding and a 7’5 wingspan.
It appears more likely than not that Cenac won’t get much run with the Celtics in his rookie season.
“I hope we’re good enough that it’s hard for any 18-year-old or 19-year-old to come in here and be really good out of the gate,” Stevens said on Tuesday night. “I think that usually is more about their own personal development and growth, and learning how hard it is, and learning how to be a part of a team, and learning how we work and how we go about it every day.”
Last year, the Celtics drafted Hugo Gonzalez (28th pick) in the first round, Amari Williams (46th pick), and Max Shulga (57th pick in the second round). Gonzalez went on to average 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, while Williams and Shulga spent most of the year in Maine.
