Celtics Pre-Draft Workouts: Cliff Alexander, George De Paula Among Latest Invitees
WALTHAM, Mass. — The Boston Celtics’ series of pre-draft workouts continued Thursday, with six more NBA prospects making their way to Waltham.
Kansas forward Cliff Alexander was the most well-known name of the latest crop. Alexander joined the Jayhawks last year after a highly successful high school career — Naismith Player of the Year, Mr. Basketball USA, McDonald’s All American, etc. — but struggled as a freshman, averaging just 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 Chicago native declared for the draft regardless and is projected to go in the late first or early second round.
The workout also included three additional big men: UMass’ Maxie Esho, California’s David Kravish and Indian project Satnam Singh, a 7-foot-2, 290-pound 19-year-old who played this season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Singh is nowhere near NBA-ready, but his sheer size and developing skills make him an intriguing prospect for a team looking to take a late-round flier and stash him for the future.
Neither Kravish — who also worked out Wednesday for the Celtics — nor Esho are expected to be drafted.
Rounding out the session were two guards: Stanford senior Chasson Randle and 19-year-old Brazilian George de Paula, who has great height (6-foot-6) and tremendous length (7-foot wingspan) for a point guard. Experts have de Paula is pegged as a second-rounder, while Randle is ranked No. 88 on DraftExpress’ Top 100 Prospects list.
Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
