Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford player comparison

Coming into the 2019-20 season, the Boston Celtics are chock full of highly touted rookies. Here, we will discuss which current NBA player most resembles each of the team’s young bucks. Today’s rookie: Romeo Langford.

The Boston Celtics came away from this June’s draft with four players, two of which coming in the first round. With their first selection — 14th overall — the team decided to bolster their wing depth with combo-wing Romeo Langford.

Coming into the draft, Langford seemed to be quite an interesting prospect. Despite being seen as a potential top-10 selection prior to the 2018-19 collegiate season, his draft stock slightly dropped coming into June due to an “underwhelming” lone season with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Although Langford did in fact manage to put up solid averages of 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, his less-than stellar efficiency on the court (specifically his shooting percentages) left people longing for more. While many have chocked his efficiency woes up to a thumb injury suffered back in November of 2018, the fact still remains — Langford did not live up to his pre-season hype.

Despite his struggles throughout his one-and-done season, the Boston Celtics saw the 19-year-old’s potential as too much to pass up on. The team spent a lottery pick to nab him in the middle of the first round. With a body built for basketball at six-foot-six, 215 pounds, the wing appears to have the physical tools necessary to hold his own at the professional level.

While no one should expect the rookie to take the NBA by storm in year one, his raw talent coupled with his impressive size should make it easy for fans to see him developing into a solid contributor in the association for years to come. As for who Langford appears most similar to in the league today, Kelly Oubre Jr seems like the optimal comparison.

Romeo Langford 2018-19 Season Highlights

Statistics: 16.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.3 APG & .8 SPG

Kelly Oubre Jr 2018-19 Season Highlights

Statistics: 15.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG & 1.2 SPG

Though Oubre Jr may not be the “superstar” type of player you may have wanted to see, make no mistake about it, this comparison is by no means a bad thing.

Similar to Langford, Kelly Oubre Jr is an athletic & lengthy wing with a long wingspan — 6-11 (Langford) & 7-3 (Oubre) — and an affinity for driving hard to the basket. Both players have shown the ability to create their own shot with a quick first step and with their effective ability to put the ball on the floor.

Langford and Oubre Jr’s games are predicated on their close-to-mid range play, but have shown the capability to hit from downtown on occasion. Despite their underwhelming long range shooting percentages, both players are young enough to realistically fix their strokes and forms altogether which, in turn, should significantly help their overall efficiency.

Since being drafted 15th overall back in the 2015 NBA Draft, Oubre Jr has consistently proven to be an impactful contributor for his respective franchise(s).

Last year, the 23-year-old saw his best professional season to date, as he recorded averages of 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest in a career high 28 minutes.

Am I saying Langford’s career will play out like Oubre Jr’s? Of course not! However, in regard to his specific style of play, the wing very much resembles that of the very talented fifth year pro.