Celtics Prospect Draws Huge Praise With Key Skill Already At ‘NBA Level’

The Boston Celtics are looking to overhaul Anton Watson’s offensive game and get him to shoot way more 3-pointers than the sparse amount he took in college.

In contrast, Watson’s defensive ability is much more developed. So much so that Celtics Summer League coach D.J. MacLeay believes they could already throw this year’s second-round pick into an NBA game and Watson could hold his own on that end of the floor.

“He’s already an NBA level defender,” MacLeay told reporters following Boston’s win over the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas on Wednesday, per CLNS Media. “He’s got things he’s got to work on in that way on that side of the floor that we’re trying to help him with, but I think if he can prove he can knock down those shots and he shows a willingness to take them without a hesitation, he’s going to be a really good player for us. And he provides a lot of versatility because of his switchability and his ability to guard the basketball.”

Watson sure isn’t lacking in confidence for what he can do defensively, either.

“You can put me at any spot and put me on anybody and I feel confident guarding them,” Watson told reporters, per CLNS Media.

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The 23-year-old Gonzaga product showed in college he could be a standout defender by utilizing his size, strength and athleticism. He can stay with guards and due to his 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame, he can stick with bigger players and battle for rebounds, too. By the time Watson left Gonzaga, he ranked second in program history with 215 steals, only trailing John Stockton.

“I think the biggest thing for me is being in a stance,” Watson said. “I catch myself legs locked a little bit. My mentality on the defensive end I think is always good and I’m always reading plays when I’m off the ball. Just keeping that in my mind has always led me right.”

But with Watson advanced at this point of his career on the defensive end, the Celtics are focused on his offensive skill set.

The Celtics, including president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, have implored Watson to step out beyond the arc and let it fly, believing he has more to offer as a long-range shooter.

Watson, who only took 55 3-pointers in his final season with Gonzaga and just 154 over his five-year collegiate career, has obliged the Celtics and it has come with some success, too. Watson knocked down 3-of-9 triples against the Hornets as he continues to add that element to his defensive-minded skill set.

“We’re really trying to build those habits in him and trying to encourage him,” MacLeay said. “As you saw, he made a couple. It looks good. I think that he can really shoot it and he needs to continue to believe that and shoot every time he gets an opportunity.”