Why Arkansas’ 19-year-old Jordan Walsh is a seamless fit for Boston Celtics

Coming off the drama of Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics spent draft night adding more and more draft capital while selecting a potential rotational player in the second round.

And for the third time in the Brad Stevens’ era, the Boston Celtics selected a prospect from the NBA Draft. Since being promoted from head coach into the front office, Stevens has dealt the franchises’ first-round picks in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Those deals provided Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Al Horford, all key contributors to this team. Arkansas’ 19-year-old forward Jordan Walsh makes a whole lot of sense with the focus next season being guarding the opposition at a much higher level.

While losing Marcus Smart was devasting for the entire city and fanbase, Boston should be able stretch the floor without having to sacrifice the ability to play big. Smart’s defensive intensity and work ethic are on their way to southwest Tennessee, but if there was any rookie that had a chance to even replace part of him, Walsh is that guy. He brings an intensity on the defensive end that is unmatched by many in this year’s draft class.

Effort, energy, hustle. He embodies those traits which is why Stevens had him on the team’s short list of prospects heading into the draft.

Arkansas’ No. 13 played one year of college basketball, starting in 22 of the side’s 36 contests throughout the regular season. Walsh collected 40 steals to go along with 17 blocks. He was one of two players on Eric Musselman’s team along with the No. 6 overall selection Anthony Black with 12 or more blocks and 32 or more steals over the course of the 36-game campaign. He ended up finishing 17th in the SEC in total steals with 34 in conference play.

The Texas native has a 7-3 wingspan and demonstrated an ability to defend at a high level of the perimeter in the professional game. There seems to be no fear in his eyes no matter the guard attempting to take him off the dribble. His defense is unforgiving to the offense. Whether it is weak-side help or getting out to contest a shot, Walsh’s relentless defense stands out the moment he steps on the floor.

With his size at 6’7”, Walsh will be the ninth Celtic of the players currently on the roster taller than 6’6”. He is not afraid of getting into the passing lane with the potential of fouling the opposition at the same time. That is his game. He was the only player on his Razorback team to have over 100 fouls during the 2022/2023 campaign.

Walsh scored the third most points on his team against No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament, playing 33 minutes. Although he is far from the shooter he needs to be, the Razorbacks’ No. 13 has the work ethic to become more versatile on more than just the defensive end. There were times in which Walsh showed off his ability to take a defender off the dribble and in the post. While his total package offensively is still a work in progress, the newest Celtic is a brilliant off-ball mover, cutting with purpose toward the basket. Second-round picks are going to be important with the new CBA, and this coaching staff that Boston now has is well-equipped to turn players like this into consistent contributors off the bench. Sam Cassell was even a guy that was drafted between the 24th and 40th pick like Walsh.

Jordan Walsh is an energy lifter that has every tool to make a difference at the NBA level for the Boston Celtics

Similar to Smart and Jaylen Brown, 3-point shooting was not their best trait coming into the pro game. With time, the two became competent shooters from behind the arc. Walsh, who has a pretty solid shooting form should become a player that can knock shots down when called upon. Who knows what his role is going to be out of the gate, or if the G-League is going to be an option to begin the campaign? His size and length give him the makeup of a professional.

Depending on what Stevens does the rest of the offseason, Walsh could be someone who can come in off the bench at the two or three. He has the basketball intelligence of White with the defensive grit of Smart. Getting out in transition in today’s NBA is critical, and Walsh is someone that can create havoc so that can happen.

Like most rookies, he is not the perfect player, but his attitude and play style should fit right into the city of Boston. You can’t teach toughness, a high basketball IQ, and an over-seven-foot wingspan. The Arkansas product has all of those.

Walsh, and JD Davison among others will be playing in the NBA2K Summer League for the Boston Celtics with the first game on July 8, 2023, against the Miami Heat in Las Vegas at 3:00 pm EST on NBA TV.