Celts Stay Busy, Sign Walker

by Roy_Hobbs on Aug 22, 2008 5:38 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

The Celtics announced today that they have signed 2008 second round draft pick Bill Walker. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walker, a 6-foot-6-inch, 220-pound forward from Kansas State, was taken with the 47th pick by the Washington Wizards and was acquired by the Celtics for cash considerations. He ranked second on the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game which also was good for fifth in the Big 12. Walker scored 20 or more points nine times and topped the 30-point mark twice. He posted career averages of 15.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 37 games over two seasons for the Wildcats.

"Bill’s hard work and skill development this summer has given us the belief that he can be in our short-term plans as well as our long-term plans." Celtics GM Danny Ainge said in a press release.

Walker will wear No. 12 with the Celtics.

If Miles makes the team, that means all 15 roster spots are filled. It will be interesting to see if any other free agents are extended a camp invite.

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Bill Wwalker sounds like a great person to have on our team, strong work ethic, hard working and a good sign he is recovering nicely from his injury.

by Champzilla on Aug 22, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

Walker is an athletic freak with outstanding BB skills. I think we all pretty much knew that, but his KState coach called Walker the “smartest” basketball player he’s EVER coached! That’s what really impressed me! You see so many kids come into the league that are unbelievably athletic(ie.,GG,KBrown), but have no BB IQ at all.
If he can stay healthy, I think he could be the steal of the entire draft! I just don’t think you send a guy like that packing to Europe. Plus it sounds like his attitude (attending mini camp even though injured and unable to play, and working out in Boston all summer) is tremendous on top of everything! Go BW!!!!!!!!

by OhioGreen on Aug 22, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

I was hoping he’d wear #8. ;D

by Bankshot on Aug 22, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

excellent

by Jeff Clark on Aug 22, 2008 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

great news

by Celtic Justice on Aug 22, 2008 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

I have a really good feeling about this kid. I might have to get a jersey made.

by PRIDE on Aug 22, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Glad to hear it. The kid is impressive in interviews too.

by clover on Aug 22, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

“I was hoping he’d wear #8.”

You don’t think their marketing department is stupid, do you?

by clover on Aug 22, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t believe we didn’t retire Ricky Davis’ number…

by Big_Easy on Aug 22, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

i like the attitude hes shown over summer.. staying in shape, attending camp though injured and w/o contract etc

by RockinRyA on Aug 22, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

busy day for danny and the c’s. i think bill walker is already good, but go slow with him- let the knees heal. i don’t want to see any injury heartbreaks with this kid. meanwhile, darius miles-i wish he was as good as his name. darius— darius milhaud- darius brubeck. miles— miles davis.. i wish he could make sweet music like his namebearers.

by nazzbo on Aug 22, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Billy Buckets

by arambone on Aug 22, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Lovvve it. Was worried they would stash him in Europe.

Perkins / O’Bryant / Davis
Garnett / Powe / Scalabrine
Pierce / Miles / Walker
RAllen / TAllen / Giddens
Rondo / House / Pruitt

I would love to consolidate some roster space and add a vet big man.. then I’d feel seriously good about the season.

On another note, I really like that we’re contending now obviously, but have some youth.. at PG (Rondo/Pruitt), the wings (Giddens/Walker), and bigs (Perkins/O’Bryant/Davis/Powe)

Kudos to FO

by bostonfan23 on Aug 22, 2008 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

I like Bill Walker so far but I would caution that interview/RL smarts don’t equal basketball smarts. Some really “dumb” individuals are geniuses on the court and really dumb IRL and vice versa.

Pete

by Sweet17 on Aug 23, 2008 1:11 AM EDT reply actions

Giddens has not officially signed yet, so that we have a 14-man roster as of now.

by P_two on Aug 23, 2008 2:59 AM EDT reply actions

Wow ! Danny does it again. Giddens, Walker, Miles, and O’Bryant.
Great stuff… also saw Semih Erden on the Turkish olympic team and he looked very athletic for a big man, although he won’t be here this year. Danny Ainge is making great decisions.
What I thought would be a quiet summer turned out to be action-packed. Awesome.

by peterschott99 on Aug 23, 2008 7:35 AM EDT reply actions

Danny saw the Atlanta series and determined we needed to get younger,longer & more athletic in the next few years as PP,KG&Ray get older…in fact,probably next year and so he did…plus we have caproom in 2010..by then we’ll know who can help us and what we’ll do with Ray…Danny has a plan for the next 5 yrs ,let’s hope it works as well as the last one…lol

by Motown on Aug 23, 2008 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

Ainge is a good judge of talent. It has been an interesting off season. Training camp will be fun this year. I think Powe will take a big step forward this season.

by Greg37 on Aug 23, 2008 8:34 AM EDT reply actions