Boston Celtics News: Tremont Waters named G-League Rookie of the Year

Boston Celtics two-way point guard Tremont Waters has been named the 2019-20 NBA G-League Rookie of the Year.

When selected with the Boston Celtics’ last pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, many fans were unfamiliar with LSU Product Tremont Waters.

Despite achieving accolades such as First-Team All-SEC and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year alongside averages of 15.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.9 steals per game during his sophomore season with the Tigers, Waters flew relatively under the radar leading into the NBA Draft.

However, when the Cs found themselves on the clock once again at 51st overall, they decided to take a chance on the undersized (5-10) point guard. Now, about a year later, Danny Ainge must be quite happy that he did.

Signed to a two-way contract in early July, the New Haven native found himself splitting time between the active roster of the Boston Celtics and their G-League affiliate team, the Maine Red Claws. Now, though only seeing NBA action on 10 occasions during his rookie campaign, Waters did garner ample professional experience in year-one came in the development league where the one guard managed to shine.

He played so well, in fact, that he has officially be awarded the 2019-20 NBA G-League Rookie of the Year award.

Through 36 games — all starts — with the Red Claws, the 22-year-old managed to showcase his skills both as a point guard and a leader. In 33.8 minutes, Waters averaged an impressive 18 points, 7.3 assists, and two steals per game on 35 percent shooting from deep.

Thanks to his play, Maine managed to muster together a record of 28-14, good enough for the fourth seed in their division. Had it not been for the global pandemic that is COVID-19, we likely would have seen Waters leading this Red Claws team on a deep G-League postseason run and, like their NBA affiliate, competing for a championship.

However, with reports suggesting that NBA teams will be allowed a transaction window in late July to potentially call-up players on two-way contracts for the upcoming Disney World bubble, we could very well see him on the active roster for the Boston Celtics competing for the Larry O’Brien trophy instead.

All in all, however, it must be stated: Waters proved that with hard work, success will follow, no matter how much the odds are stacked against you.

Congratulations on an impressive rookie season, Tremont!

We’re confident your father would be extremely proud of you, similar to how the Boston Celtics faithful are.

Cheers to more success as your career progresses!