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Boston Celtics Late First Round Draft Picks To Watch This March

ByJesse 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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Keita Bates-Diop – Jr. – F – Ohio State

If you are looking for a player to surge up draft boards this March, check out Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop. Diop came into OSU as the 24th ranked player in the Class of 2014, but he had a slow start to his college career, averaging just 9 ppg and 5 rpg during his redshirt sophomore campaign last season.

This season, Bates-Diop has grown-up for a surging Buckeye team that has gone 14-3 in Big Ten play this season. A do-it-all forward, Bates Diop is averaging 19-9 and is shooting a respectable 36 percent from outside. Although at 6’7″ he is undersized for a PF in the NBA, he possesses great length and leads the Buckeyes in blocks.

Next: Stevens in great position for COY run

With a big march, Bates-Diop may work himself into a potential lottery position, and the Celtics would be interested in adding Bates-Diop to their collection of versatile forwards.