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The Celtics announced their roster for both the Utah and Las Vegas summer leagues on Wednesday afternoon. Here's a look at the participants:
Name | Position | Height/Weight | College |
Eric Buckner | F/C | 6-10/220 | Georgia State |
CJ Fair | F | 6-8/215 | Syracuse |
Jonathan Holmes | F | 6-8/240 | Texas |
RJ Hunter | G | 6-6/190 | Georgia State |
Colton Iverson | C | 7-0/255 | Colorado State |
Jordan Mickey | F | 6-8/235 | LSU |
Malcolm Miller | F | 6-7/210 | Holy Cross |
Royce O'Neale | F | 6-6/215 | Baylor |
Terry Rozier | G | 6-1/190 | Lousiville |
Marcus Smart | G | 6-4/220 | Oklahoma State |
Marcus Thornton | G | 6-4/190 | William & Mary |
Corey Walden | G | 6-2/189 | Eastern Kentucky |
James Young | G/F | 6-6/215 | Kentucky |
As expected, the team is largely dominated by guards, with second-year players Marcus Smart and James Young headlining a group of six guys who play primarily in the back court. Joining them are rookies Terry Rozier, RJ Hunter and Marcus Thornton, while undrafted free agent Corey Walden rounds out the group.
With Thornton expected to play overseas this season and Walden a mere formality, the focus will be largely placed on Rozier and Hunter and how they can coexist with Bostons's other guards. Both are currently expected to be a part of the Celtics' opening night roster, making it all the more important for the team to mix and match the four of them in order to find ideal combinations.
As far as the front court is concerned, second-round pick Jordan Mickey and 2013 draft-and-stash prospect Colton Iverson should be the featured guys. Iverson will be looking to stick with the club once and for all after a solid season playing in the Spanish ACB and Euroleague (12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 60.4 FG% per 36 minutes), while Mickey will look to play to his strengths as an athlete and shot blocker in these incredibly fast-paced games.
Don't sleep on Jonathan Holmes, though. The 6-8 forward out of Texas was expected to be taken either late in the first or early in the second round of last Thursday's draft. Despite being undersized for a power forward, Holmes had a productive year for the Longhorns in 2014-15, averaging 15.8 points, 9.4 boards and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes.
If he can shoot well enough from beyond the arc (33.1% 3FG last season), rebound and defend his position well during his summer league stint, he may be able to earn himself a deal that allows him to improve his game in the D-League in 2015-16.