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Boston Celtics: NBA comparisons for each C’s rookie

By Mark Nilon

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 06: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings is defended by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 06: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings is defended by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 6, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

NBA comparison for Payton Pritchard: Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors

Former Oregon Duck star and 2020 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Payton Pritchard, comes into the league as both a relative surprise being picked 26th overall and a prospect wielding solid potential coming into his rookie season with the Boston Celtics.

Seen as an instant contender to take on backup point guard duties from day one with the franchise, the 4-year collegiate standout is coming off of a senior season where he put up averages of 20.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 42 percent shooting from deep.

A dynamic scorer both on the drive and from beyond the arc, while possessing impressive court vision Pritchard seems to have the skill set necessary to be a quality offensive point guard right off the bat.

A player who comes to mind when looking at the Oregon native’s game is a man who, too, came into the NBA Draft undervalued — in fact, he went undrafted — but, this offseason, got paid top dollar for his production.

That man, as I’m sure you already know based on the image above, is Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet.

To be honest, we cannot take the credit for this comparison, as we first heard about it from ESPN Analyst, Mike Schmitz who, prior to the draft, broke down the resemblances between the two guards.

"He [Pritchard] reminds me a little bit of another four-year college player, Fred Van Vleet. With his toughness, his shooting ability, and his affinity to rise when the moment gets greater, shining in the bright lights. That’s what makes Prichard so special and very, very similar to Fred VanVleet.”"

Schmitz would later go clip for clip, breaking down specific plays between Pritchard and VanVleet that acted out quite similarly.

As we stated earlier, the Raptors’ point guard just got paid handsomely to the tune of a 4-year, $85 million contract after posting career averages of 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 41 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep.

Boston Celtics fans should surely feel optimistic about the likes of a Fred VanVleet-like player donning the green and white threads on just a rookie-scale deal in 2020-21.