3 reasons why Noah Vonleh can make Boston Celtics roster
The Boston Celtics recently signed former lottery pick and Massachusetts native, Noah Vonleh to a training camp deal. The deal is not Exhibit 10 meaning he has a real chance to crack the 15-man roster. He was the ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft selected by the Charlotte Hornets.
The six-foot-10 big man has seven years of NBA experience playing for seven different franchises (Hornets, Blazers, T-Wolves, Nets, Nuggets, Bulls, and Knicks). Vonleh grew up in the town of Haverhill which is north of Boston.
The chance to continue his pursuing his NBA dream whilst solidifying a role on a team near where he was raised must be a huge motivation, as is the possibility of playing in front of friends and family in the area. The cherry on top is the opportunity to earn a rotational spot on a Championship contender.
Boston’s center spot is very thin right now for the C’s and they are aiming to fill the backup five spot in training camp. Vonleh will be competing with the likes of Mfiondu Kabengele, Bruno Caboclo, and Luke Kornet for a spot in Beantown’s nine or ten man rotation.
The Celts are in desperate need of having a reserve at that position due to the plan to rest Al Horford on back to backs and injury prone Robert Williams. Either choice who makes this slot on the roster will be picking up where Daniel Theis left off as the third big in Ime Udoka’s rotation.
Here are 3 reasons why Noah Vonleh can make the Boston Celtics’ roster:
No. 1: He is still only 26 years old with plenty of potential
Noah Vonleh has yet to reach his prime years of his career at the ripe age of 26. The Boston Celtics are a great match for the young big man as he fits with the make up of their mostly youthful core.
Career averages of roughly around five points and five boards a game do not jump off the page, but it is solid production on his 17 minutes a game throughout his seven year tenure in the league.
The former lottery still harbors great potential to grow into a role as a stretch five and has good versatility to play as well as guard up to three positions. After being a five star recruit out of Haverhill High School, he would go onto Indiana University and post stellar averages of 11.3 points, nine rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on 52% from the field, 49% from downtown, and 72% from the free-throw line.
Initially scouts were very high on his size, mobility, and raw athleticism. The array of a solid post game with the ability to stretch a defense as well. An ideal partner for pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop situations.
There were comparisons drawn to a former All-Star in Jamal Mashburn for his ability to play on the wing as well. It may be too late for him to ever live up to that star comparison, but it is not too late to carve out a rotational spot on a contending roster.
The role of the back up five is important considering the context of an aging Al Horford and a historically injury prone Timelord. There may be a opportunity to start on occasion given these circumstances. The skillset is there and it is just a matter of a chance to catch a rhythm.