Celtics Sign Former Massachusetts High School Standout To Deal

Hason Ward made a name for himself on the hardwood in high school at Springfield Central in Massachusetts.

Ward now returns to the Bay State as a member of the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics signed the 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward to an Exhibit 10 contract Wednesday, per his agency. Adding Ward came after the Celtics reportedly waived 7-foot-1 center Dmytro Skapintsev after wrapping up their preseason slate.

Ward, 24, went undrafted out of Iowa State but joined the Sacramento Kings for Summer League action. He spent five seasons in college, with the first three years of his career coming with VCU before suiting up for the Cyclones for his final two campaigns, in which they made the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

Ward is an athletic big man and an adept shot blocker. He certainly showed that at Springfield Central when he once recorded 22 blocks in one game. That shot-blocking prowess translated to college as he averaged 2.3 blocks as a sophomore with VCU. He also recorded 1.2 blocks per game in his final season with Iowa State while averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 28 games (three starts).

Ward likely won’t stick with the Celtics for long. They have to trim their roster down by next Monday, but signing Ward to an Exhibit 10 deal helps to keep him in the organization since Boston retains his G League rights if it waives him.

That means Ward could see plenty of playing time with the Maine Celtics, not too far from where he grew up.