Celtics Summer time League guard indicators with Maine Celtics [Exclusive]

LAS VEGAS — The Celtics have signed Hayden Grey to a contract with the Maine Celtics, a supply informed CelticsBlog. He led the NCAA in steals final season, averaging 10.1 factors, 3.3 assists, and three.1 steals per sport for UC San Diego.

Grey was a member of the Celtics’ Summer time League workforce and appeared in a single sport this summer season, a 101-80 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night time. In that sport, he tallied 7 factors (3-4 FG), 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 20 minutes. He stole a cross lower than a minute after checking into the sport.

“I’ve fairly good anticipation, studying the ball handler’s eyes, understanding the place they wish to go together with it,” Grey informed CelticsBlog earlier this week. “I take pleasure in protection. Loads of groups are actually specializing in creating extra possessions, and I believe I can try this by inflicting turnovers and likewise simply being a flooring normal, dealing with the ball, and setting the desk for everybody.”

Matt Reynolds, who coached the Celtics Summer time League workforce this month, took be aware of Grey’s defensive affect throughout the time they spent collectively.

“He‘s a man that he’s received a nostril for the ball, he had a transition block, downhill drive, kick out, end,” Reynolds stated. “He’s only a artful participant. However the large factor is he’s a really good participant, very savvy, and he’s attacking the basketball on protection. And I believe he’s going to have an effect wherever he performs.”

As he appears to be like to finally break into an NBA rotation, Grey stated he’s been finding out gamers like Derrick White, in addition to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guards Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace.

“Even within the Finals with the Thunder, you’re watching these guys just a little nearer than the opposite guys, simply because they play the same position to you,” Grey stated. “These guys are the most effective at it in the complete world. You may choose up little issues that they just do by watching their movie.”

How Hayden Grey landed with the Celtics

The Celtics introduced Grey in for a pre-draft exercise initially of Could, and immediately, he was impressed.

“You may inform that Boston is likely one of the greatest organizations within the NBA — simply how they run issues, how the coaches carry themselves, how the entrance workplace carries itself,” Grey stated. “It’s actually good folks throughout the constructing.”

On Saturday, earlier than he made his official Summer time League debut, Grey stated he was profiting from the chance with Boston regardless of restricted minutes. Subsequent, he will probably be a member of the Maine Celtics, the place he’ll play for Phil Pressey. Pressey was one of many lead assistants for Reynolds this Summer time League, and was a participant improvement coach for the Celtics final season.

“I’m an undrafted rookie, so I’m actually making an attempt to simply be a sponge and simply soak in the whole lot I can,” Grey stated. “That is the best degree of basketball on the planet. You’re round the most effective coaches, you’re round the most effective gamers. I’m actually making an attempt to benefit from the expertise.”