Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh is ready to exceed expectations with his new club

Boston Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh is ready to make an impact with his new club, but he knows such an opportunity won’t come easy. Boston is fresh off of a deep postseason run, and it can be challenging for young players to crack the rotation of an established team like the Celtics. Regardless, Walsh is committed to ready to give his best effort.

Walsh made a splash in his first appearance with the Celtics during the unveiling of a renovated court at the Cambridge Community Center. He told reporters about his admiration for Boston’s many championship banners and his love for the city of Boston. A day later and Walsh paid a visit to the Junior Celtics Academy basketball clinic, where he outlined his vision for keeping up with his new club and staying hungry to reporters afterward. For example, he said his introductory conversation with team president Brad Stevens about goals and expectations for the coming season was plenty motivating.

“I took it in as a personal challenge,” Walsh said. “I want to be able to exceed his expectations and do even better than what he thinks I can.”

Walsh comes to Boston after a lone season with Arkansas where he was able to secure a spot in the starting lineup with tenacity and defense. Walsh and the Razorbacks went on a run to the Sweet Sixteen this spring, highlighting his chops for competing at a high level.

His next showcase will be Las Vegas Summer League, where he’ll have a chance to compete against NBA talent. Walsh knows this is a big opportunity to establish himself with the Celtics and with the Association.

“I just want to show that I’m a player who is very versatile,” Walsh told reporters, “I can do it all. Whatever it takes to win a game, whatever it takes to win a series or a championship, I’m the guy who’s going to do whatever that is.”

Walsh is used to letting his play do his talking, especially on the defensive end. He explained that a formative experience as a teen taught him the best way to get on the court is to show your worth on defense.

“When I entered high school,” Walsh explained, “We were playing in an open gym, and no one was passing me the ball. And I was mad; I asked my coach why no one was passing me the ball, and he said, ‘Look, nobody knows who you are, Jordan. So if you want the ball, go play defense and get a rebound.'”

“I had to gain respect that way. Once he told me that, that shaped my whole game.”

Walsh will have an opportunity to showcase his skills in July at Summer League. Once training camp hits, however, that mindset may prove vital playing among some of the most established stars in the league.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire