LAS VEGAS — An unexpected face checked into the Boston Celtics’ Summer League game on Friday afternoon. Absent from the roster, former San Antonio Spurs center stepped onto the court donning Celtics green. He had been practicing with the team in Boston and in Las Vegas leading up to the start of the event, but no announcement was made regarding his addition to the roster.
“It was, like you said, last minute,” Bassey said. “Got a call from my agent and, yeah, flew out the next day, started training camp with them.”
Everything came together right as the Celtics began practicing for Summer League. As Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and the rest of the squad were getting in the gym, Bassey was finalizing an agreement to join them. Not even head coach Matt Reynolds knew about the move before camp started.
“We found out he was going to join the team shortly before we got started with Day 1,” Reynolds said. “And he did not participate in the live portion Day 1, but he came in Day 2.”
Charles Bassey ready to mold to Celtics
Already a day behind, Bassey joined the team in Boston shortly after their practices began. He was the least-prepared member of the entire roster.
Yet he had one of the most significant impacts in their first game.
Bassey came off the bench behind rookie big man Amari Williams, and instantly, his NBA experience was evident. Memphis’ big man-rotation struggled to match his nose for offensive rebounds, and its guards failed to adjust to his rock-solid screens on the perimeter.
“Terminology and concepts, he was behind in that regard, but it was just clear that that guy could make an impact in the game, and you saw that throughout the course of the game today, and I think he was huge for us,” Reynolds said.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Bassey totaled 14 points, 11 rebounds (seven offensive rebounds), and two blocks. He shot 6-of-8 from the floor.
“Great effort, my rebounding, blocking shots, rim protection,” Bassey said when asked what he can bring to a team. “I bring great defense to the team. And I just play my role. I know what the team needs from me, I know what they want from me, and I do it every night.”
Bassey spent the past three years with the Spurs, backing up Victor Wembanyama and providing them with spot minutes. Now, he’s an unrestricted free agent, and with the Spurs signing Luke Kornet and trading for Kelly Olynyk, he’ll likely be looking for a new home.
Meanwhile, Boston’s center rotation lives in a state of flux. Neemias Queta is the projected starter, Luke Garza signed with the team in free agency, Xavier Tillman Sr. will be back, and Williams is just entering his rookie season.
At just 24 years old, Bassey still has plenty of room to grow, and with a center room as open as Boston’s, the right opportunity could arise.
“I mean, just the culture,” Bassey said on why he joined the Celtics. “Like you said, man, Boston. Coached by one of the good coaches. It's just the culture, the coaches, the players around, Jayson, just obviously learning from those guys. Yeah, the culture, and just being around great players.”
Getting in the gym with a franchise as successful as the Celtics means something to Bassey. And based on his early experiences with the Summer League squad, the energy with this version of the Celtics has been elite.
“That's a playoff team,” Bassey said. “They go to the playoffs every year. So, obviously, just learning from those guys. It's great for me. I mean, I went to the playoffs one time. But it's been good, man. Like I said, man, I'm just going to learn a lot from those guys. And I know, just like the energy they play with. Even in practice and stuff, it's great energy, the environment, the gym, the vibes, it's just great, man. So, I love it.”
Bassey hasn’t had any real conversations with the Celtics about a regular-season spot just yet. “Obviously, they’ve watched me practice and stuff,” Bassey said. “No conversations yet. But we’re going to see what I go to, but I don’t need to talk about that right now.”
But for the time being, he’s focused on Summer League. And he knows how he wants to make his mark.
“Obviously, man, just get trust from my teammates, from my coaches,” Bassey said of his Summer League goals. “I would say that sometimes, some players just go out there just to score and stuff. I mean, I just got to do what I do. Just rebound, block shots. Obviously, bringing that to the team. And just getting trust from the coaches.
“When they tell you to do stuff, you do it. I mean, just going out and just playing hard every day. You never know what's going to happen. Just play hard.”