Boston -- Sam Hauser never got to hear his name called on draft night. It was a slight that might have ultimately worked out in his favor. The Virginia Cavaliers' former sharpshooting forward nearly took his talents to the Miami Heat. Instead, he signed with the Boston Celtics. Either path would have allowed him to grow his game within an exemplary infrastructure. Who's to say what the trajectory of his career looks like if a less praiseworthy organization had selected him?
Furthermore, that unenviable route placed a chip on his shoulder, which his career has also benefited from.
"Going undrafted and feeling like you were better than some of the guys who got drafted definitely puts a little bit of a chip on your shoulder, and you just want to go in and try to prove yourself and try to prove that you belong," said Hauser after the Celtics' 144-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "Naturally, when people write you off...you're just gonna have a little extra motivation."
As Hauser seasoned his game, including in the G League, his talent was evident -- and it was expanding. That led to him carving out a role in his second year in the Association, Joe Mazzulla's first as Boston's bench boss.
Increased opportunities have fueled Hauser's evolution
The six-foot-eight forward is one of the more underrated two-way players in the league. However, his scouting report within the league is better understood now. There are fewer instances of individuals targeting him on a switch, thinking they have an easy path to points. The Wisconsin native has repeatedly proven that he can chest drives to keep his assignment in front of him and stay attached before contesting shots without fouling.
That growth led to Hauser starting in 49 of the 78 regular-season contests he appeared in. Entrenched in the Celtics' first unit, he made his first-career playoff start in the hosts' 123-91 victory vs. the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 at TD Garden.
Seizing his opportunity, he buried four of the six threes he hoisted. He paired his 12 points with seven rebounds, his most in a postseason setting. The fifth-year forward also dished out two assists and swiped a steal in a strong showing that captured the well-rounded nature of his game.
Foot on the gas ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/EJHlqr1gri
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 19, 2026
After helping his team race out to a 1-0 series lead in convincing fashion, the former undrafted free agent reflected on his journey and what he's most proud of about the path to his first playoff start.
"I think I'm just proud of — you got to have a lot of belief in yourself, and you got to put a lot of work in. So, I think those two things I'm pretty proud of," said Hauser. "And that doesn't stop. On a daily basis, you have to continue to prove yourself in this league because there's always new guys coming in the league. There's always a guy that maybe they're drafting in place of you for a couple [of] years down the road, or whatever it may be. So, just not taking it for granted and really enjoying each and every day."
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