Catching up with the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA draft workouts
As the 2023 NBA draft draws ever closer, the Boston Celtics have kept themselves very busy working out prospective targets for the top of the 2023 draft’s second round, with a pick owed them from either the Portland Trail Blazers (35th overall) or the Houston Rockets (33rd overall), pending the outcome of complicated protections which will be determined the night of the draft lottery.
The Celtics are looking for players who would be able to help a little depth-wise right away, or perhaps a player with some upside to stash abroad or as a two way player with the extra slot having been added in the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Let’s take a look at the prospects we know the team has worked out (thanks to Rookie Wire’s Cody Taylor) that we have not already covered on the Celtics Wire (see our previous articles on wing Landers Nolley II, big man Oscar Tshiebwe, and center Isaiah Miranda).
Miranda is an intriguing prospect for the Celtics to consider as a top-50 consensus college prospect. https://t.co/kTedEs7E7I
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 11, 2023
Leaky Black, North Carolina
Mar 9, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Leaky Black (1) shoots in the first half of the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
A five-year prospect out of North Carolina who stayed an extra season with the Tarheels due to COVID-19 eligibility, Black put up 7.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 41.1% from the floor and 32.6% from deep in 2022-23.
The 6-foot-8 wing is still very raw on the offensive end of the floor but is a decent defender with good physical tools.
Jaylen Forbes, Tulane
Mar 11, 2023; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Tulane Green Wave guard Jaylen Forbes (25) grabs a rebound against the Memphis Tigers during the first half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Forbes, a 6-foot-5 guard who put up 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 38.8% from 3 with Tulane in 2022-23, is an intriguing option given his ability on both ends of the court.
That it came in a relatively weak conference (the American Athletic) is a bit of a concern, but certainly more than worthy of a closer look.
Alex Fudge, Florida
UCF Knights forward Michael Durr (2) gets the ball knocked away by Florida Gators forward Alex Fudge (3) during the first half of the NIT tournament Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Fla. Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun
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A former top-100 prospect with athleticism and a quick first step, Fudge underwhelmed in his sole season with the Gators, never finding his groove in Gainesville after transferring from LSU.
Fudge is betting on himself despite putting up 5.8 points, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.8% overall and a mere 22.9% from 3. The Jacksonville native is more of an upside play than a win-now selection.
Omari Moore, San Jose State
Mar 4, 2023; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) drives to the basket against Air Force Falcons guard Carter Murphy (4) in the first half at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
A 6-foot-6 senior guard who put up 17.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and close to a block and a steal per game, Moore’s biggest concern is his outside shot, a career 34.0% that has varied considerably from season to season.
Still, the California native is very much an interesting option for Boston to shore up depth on the wing.
Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers
Mar 5, 2023; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Craig Porter Jr. (3) controls the ball as South Florida Bulls guard Serrel Smith Jr. (10) defends during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
A 6-foot-11 center who offers rebounding at a high clip and rim protection, Omoruyi is a very raw prospect whose talent at present is nearly all on the defensive end.
But he is already a high-level player in that regard and has a decent jumper and enough athleticism to provide some verticle spacing in the right scheme.
Craig Porter Jr., Wichita State
Mar 5, 2023; Wichita, Kansas, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Craig Porter Jr. (3) controls the ball as South Florida Bulls guard Serrel Smith Jr. (10) defends during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
A 6-foot-2 point guard, Porter is a bit undersized for today’s NBA but makes up for it with surprising rebounding numbers (6.2 per game in 2022-23) along with 13.5 points, 4.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and as many blocks per game.
The do-everything floor general is also a decent outside shot at 36.3% last season, but as with some prospects noted above, he also played in a weak conference in college (again, the American Athletic).
Justin Powell, Washington State
Mar 9, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Justin Powell (24) shoots over Oregon Ducks guard Will Richardson (0) during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Powell had trouble finding the right fit collegiately (he played at Auburn, Tennessee, and Washington State in as many seasons), but is a lethal 3-point shot (career 41.9%) with size at 6-foot-6.
He rebounds well for a guard (3.9 per game last season) and can move the ball a bit, but his defense is only okay and his first step a bit slow, hinting at a 3-and-some-D role at the next level.
Jalen Slawson, Furman
Mar 18, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Furman Paladins forward Jalen Slawson (20) drives to the basket past San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) during the first half in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports
6-foot-7 and a five-year senior at Furman, the 225-lb. swingman has a nascent 3-pointer (39.4% in 2022-23 on low volume) and good court vision and passing chops (3.2 assists per game last season) for his position.
Averaging 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and as many blocks per game hints at a fairly complete player in another mediocre (Southern) conference.
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