LAS VEGAS — The Celtics have signed Hayden Grey to a contract with the Maine Celtics, a supply instructed CelticsBlog. He led the NCAA in steals final season, averaging 10.1 factors, 3.3 assists, and three.1 steals per recreation for UC San Diego.
Grey was a member of the Celtics’ Summer season League group and appeared in a single recreation this summer time, a 101-80 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday evening. In that recreation, he tallied 7 factors (3-4 FG), 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 20 minutes. He stole a cross lower than a minute after checking into the sport.
“I’ve fairly good anticipation, studying the ball handler’s eyes, understanding the place they wish to go together with it,” Grey instructed CelticsBlog earlier this week. “I take pleasure in protection. Lots of groups are actually specializing in creating extra possessions, and I feel I can try this by inflicting turnovers and in addition simply being a ground common, dealing with the ball, and setting the desk for everybody.”
Matt Reynolds, who coached the Celtics Summer season League group this month, took observe of Grey’s defensive impression throughout the time they spent collectively.
“He‘s a man that he’s bought a nostril for the ball, he had a transition block, downhill drive, kick out, end,” Reynolds mentioned. “He’s only a artful participant. However the large factor is he’s a really sensible participant, very savvy, and he’s attacking the basketball on protection. And I feel he’s going to have an effect wherever he performs.”
As he seems to ultimately break into an NBA rotation, Grey mentioned he’s been finding out gamers like Derrick White, in addition to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guards Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace.
“Even within the Finals with the Thunder, you’re watching these guys a bit nearer than the opposite guys, simply because they play the same position to you,” Grey mentioned. “These guys are the most effective at it in the complete world. You may choose up little issues that they just do by watching their movie.”
How Hayden Grey landed with the Celtics
The Celtics introduced Grey in for a pre-draft exercise firstly of Could, and straight away, he was impressed.
“You may inform that Boston is likely one of the greatest organizations within the NBA — simply how they run issues, how the coaches carry themselves, how the entrance workplace carries itself,” Grey mentioned. “It’s actually good folks throughout the constructing.”
On Saturday, earlier than he made his official Summer season League debut, Grey mentioned he was profiting from the chance with Boston regardless of restricted minutes. Subsequent, he might be a member of the Maine Celtics, the place he’ll play for Phil Pressey. Pressey was one of many lead assistants for Reynolds this Summer season League, and was a participant growth coach for the Celtics final season.
“I’m an undrafted rookie, so I’m actually making an attempt to simply be a sponge and simply soak in all the things I can,” Grey mentioned. “That is the best degree of basketball on the planet. You’re round the most effective coaches, you’re round the most effective gamers. I’m actually making an attempt to benefit from the expertise.”
