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Boston Celtics Late First Round Draft Picks To Watch This March

By Jesse Collings

WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Danny Ainge, left, president of basketball operations, and head coach Brad Stevens at the press conference. The Boston Celtics introduce their new draft picks, Marcus Smart and James Young, on Monday, June 30, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Danny Ainge, left, president of basketball operations, and head coach Brad Stevens at the press conference. The Boston Celtics introduce their new draft picks, Marcus Smart and James Young, on Monday, June 30, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Omer Yurtseven – Soph. – C – N.C. State

Yurtseven, a native of Turkey, burst onto the radar of American fans in 2016 when he scored 91 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in a youth game. The seven-footer was a five star recruit before settling at N.C. State and was pegged as a one-and-done prospect, but struggled adjusting to college basketball and wisely decided to come back for his sophomore season.

In his second season, Yurtseven has blossomed into a star for the Wolfpack, averaging 13 and 7 to go along with nearly 2 blocks per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field. The upside for Yurtseven that made him a top recruit is still apparent; he sports a versatile offensive game and is a reliable jump shooter that could eventually turn him out into a stretch five (he is shooting 48 percent from three on a limited number of attempts this season), plus he can protect the rim. Yurtseven is the exact kind of a player that can be elevated by a big showing in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.