WALTHAM, Mass. — Working out at the Boston Celtics’ facility, with its 17 championship banners proudly hanging overhead, can be an awe-inspiring experience for NBA hopefuls. Not Olivier Hanlan.
Before Hanlan visited the Celtics in an official capacity Tuesday, shooting hoops at the team’s suburban practice space had been a common offseason activity for the Boston College guard. And it wasn’t just random schmos who joined him for his pickup games.
“Over my three years at BC, during the summer time I would come up here sometimes and play some pickup basketball with some of the Celtics guys,” Hanlan said after completing his pre-draft workout with the C’s. “Not all of them, but it’s definitely fun being back here. I’m kind of used to this place compared to other places. Just being back in Boston, it’s fun.
“… I played (Rajon) Rondo when Rondo was (with the Celtics). Jared Sullinger. A few of the old Celtics guys. I know this past year or so the Celtics seemed kind of all mixed up now with some younger guys, a lot of not-familiar faces. But (I played against) some of the older guys, a lot of veterans. But throughout the summer, not all the guys are here, so it was a few Celtics guys, a few guys from Harvard, a few other college guys. That was fun.”
Hanlan hails from Gatineau, Quebec, but he’s been immersed in New England since 2010. He spent his final two high school seasons at the New Hampton School in New Hampshire — where he played alongside current Charlotte Hornets big man Noah Vonleh — before embarking on a college career in Chestnut Hill.
Hanlan excelled in his three years with the Eagles, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman and a first-team all-conference nod after leading the ACC in scoring as a junior. It was more than enough to catch the eye of the local NBA franchise.
“I always saw Celtics scouts there,” Hanlan said. “They were probably at every one of my games, to be honest.”
But the Celtics’ interest in the 6-foot-4, 186-pound combo guard actually began before he even played a game for Boston College.
“I’ve seen Olivier a lot,” Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge said. “I actually worked a Basketball Without Borders camp when Olivier was coming out of high school, and he was on my team. So, I’ve seen him since then quite a bit obviously at Boston College. We know Olivier probably better than anybody, and it was good to have him in against the guys he’s competing against.”
That group Tuesday included Kentucky’s Andrew Harrison and an ACC rival of Hanlan’s, Louisville’s Terry Rozier. Both are projected as slightly higher draft picks than Hanlan, whom most peg as a mid-second-round selection.
The Celtics own two picks in that second round, and while point guard (Hanlan’s self-proclaimed primary position) isn’t high on their list of needs, the 22-year-old said he’d love to end up back in Boston.
“It would definitely be great,” Hanlan said. “I’m used to the city already. I know a lot of people over here. I’ve built great relationships at Boston College and with my coaching staffs and my teammates. Obviously, it would be a dream come true, but you can’t really be picky with these types of things. (The teams) kind of pick and choose where you go, and I’m just here to work and get an opportunity.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
