Celtics Summer time League standout heart Charles Bassey shouldn’t be planning on enjoying abroad subsequent season, sources advised CelticsBlog. A number of shops beforehand reported that he was significantly contemplating signing with the Serbian membership Partizan Belgrade, however he at present plans to play within the NBA subsequent season.
Bassey would particularly like to signal with the Celtics if the chance introduced itself, sources mentioned. How sensible that is perhaps stays to be seen.
After waiving JD Davison, the Celtics have one open roster spot. However, because the roster at present stands, signing a fifteenth participant would put them again over the second apron, one thing the staff has actively labored to get under this offseason.
Brad Stevens has been express about that, noting that a number of offseason strikes — just like the Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis trades — have been the results of the penalties related to the staff’s payroll exceeding $207.8 million.
“The second apron is why these trades occurred,” Stevens mentioned. “I feel that’s fairly apparent. And the basketball penalties related to these are actual.”
The Celtics at present have a reasonably skinny frontcourt, with Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman all within the combine. Queta, who Bobby Manning of CLNS Media reported had offseason knee surgical procedure, seems to be the seemingly beginning heart, whereas Garza and Tillman ought to each play rotation minutes.
Charles Bassey was a standout Summer time League performer
Bassey, a 24-year-old heart, was the Celtics’ most constant participant at Summer time League, averaging 15.3 factors and 11 rebounds per recreation (4 offensive). He shot 70.4% from the sector throughout three video games, two of which have been wins.
After he made his Summer time League debut with the Celtics, Bassey defined why he was drawn to becoming a member of the Celtics, citing his impressions of the gamers and coaches: “It’s simply the tradition.”
Bassey, who has solely performed for one playoff staff in 4 NBA seasons, is claimed to be very drawn to the staff’s document of sustained successful.
“They go to the playoffs yearly,” Bassey mentioned in Las Vegas. “So, clearly, simply studying from these guys, it’s nice for me. I went to the playoffs one time. Nevertheless it’s been good, man… I’m simply going to be taught rather a lot from these guys.”
Summer time League head coach Matt Reynolds mentioned that Bassey joined the staff proper earlier than the primary day of coaching camp, and that he was capable of take part within the reside portion of the second day of camp.
“It was simply clear that that man might make an influence within the recreation, and also you noticed that all through the course of the sport at this time,” Reynolds mentioned after the Nigerian heart recorded 14 factors (7-8 FG), 11 rebounds, and a couple of blocks in 18 minutes. “I feel he was enormous for us.”
What Charles Bassey’s tenure within the NBA has appeared prefer to date
Since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers 53rd general in 2021, Bassey has performed within the NBA for 4 seasons, showing in 113 video games. He spent his rookie season in Philadelphia and performed for the San Antonio Spurs for the final three seasons.
Final season with the Spurs, he appeared in 36 video games earlier than struggling an damage midseason. However he had a powerful first half of the 12 months, averaging 4.4 factors and 4.2 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per recreation.
It’s arduous to know what that will appear to be scaled up; Bassey averaged 15.1 factors, 14.6 rebounds, and a couple of.9 blocks per 36 minutes final season. (For reference, Neemias Queta, who’s more likely to be the Celtics’ beginning heart subsequent 12 months, averaged 12.9 factors, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per 36 minutes final 12 months. It’s not an ideal comparability.)
Charles Bassey is the second participant in NBA historical past to have 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists in lower than 20 minutes performed and the primary participant in league historical past to do it off the bench pic.twitter.com/i6qku6YVKX
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 12, 2022
Rebounding and rim safety have lengthy been Bassey’s strengths. When requested what he brings to an NBA staff, Bassey mentioned: “Nice effort, my rebounding, blocking photographs, rim safety. I carry nice protection to the staff. And I simply play my function. I do know what the staff wants from me, I do know what they need from me, and I do it each evening.”
League sources mentioned there’s some concern relating to Bassey’s damage historical past — the 6’10 heart suffered a fracture in his left patella in 2023 and later tore his ACL. He missed the second half of final season with an MCL damage.
However, Bassey performed on each nights of a back-to-back with the Celtics final month and is now absolutely cleared for NBA motion.
It stays to be seen whether or not the Celtics find yourself having the cap house, or ample curiosity, to signal Bassey. However, opposite to earlier studies, sources say Bassey is at present not planning on enjoying in Europe subsequent season. And, Boston is a vacation spot he’s notably keen on.
