WALTHAM, Mass. — Friday’s Boston Celtics pre-draft workout featured a crop of mid-major products who simply are hoping to hear their names called June 25 at Barclays Center.
Monday’s group was the polar opposite.
The Celtics’ latest workout was their most star-studded yet, with three of the six invitees ranking in the top 25 on DraftExpress’ Top 100 Prospects list.
One of those three was Arizona wing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who at No. 13 on DraftExpress’ list is the highest-ranked player to visit with the C’s this spring. Most agree Hollis-Jefferson’s offensive game needs a fair amount of work, but he was regarded as one of the top defenders in college basketball this season.
Also in attendance Monday were Virginia wing Justin Anderson and Texas forward Jonathan Holmes, who come in at Nos. 23 and 24, respectively. Anderson is another defensive stud and also improved greatly as a shooter this season, shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from 3-point range as a junior with the Cavaliers.
Holmes is a 6-foot-9, 242-pound power forward whom some scouts believe can be this year’s version of Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green.
Hollis-Jefferson and Anderson are projected as late first-round picks, while most see Holmes coming off the board early in the second.
Rounding out the workout were Michigan State forward Branden Dawson, Oklahoma State wing LeBryan Nash and Alabama guard Levi Randolph.
Thumbnail photo via Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports Images
