Celtics 1st-Round Pick Scheierman ‘Very Excited’ to Join NBA Champs

BOSTON – The Celtics used the last pick of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft Wednesday night to select one of the most well-rounded basketball players in NCAA history.

Baylor Scheierman, a 6-foot-6 wing out of Creighton University, is shipping up to Boston.

Speaking with Celtics.com shortly after hearing his name called at pick No. 30, Scheierman said that he hopes to complement Boston’s roster with his versatility, competitiveness, and eagerness to help the defending champs in any way possible.

“My ability to affect the game in a lot of ways whether that’s rebounding, whether that’s passing, whether that’s shooting, or just all-out competing,”  Scheierman said, listing off how he hopes to contribute in the future. “Obviously they have a great team already, just coming off a championship, and so I’m just excited to join the group, get to work, and try to impact any way that I can.”

Scheierman isn’t exaggerating when he says he can impact the game in a lot of ways. He is the only player in Division I men’s history with at least 2,000 points, (2,233), 1,000 rebounds (1,256), 500 assists (580), and 300 three-pointers (356).

He is just one of 11 players in college hoops history to score at least 1,000 points at two different DI schools (South Dakota State and Creighton). Many of those points were scored from beyond the 3-point arc, where the lefty shot 39.0 percent on 912 career attempts.

Plus, he is the most prolific defensive-rebounder (1,114 defensive boards) at the DI level in at least a quarter of a century. Not bad for a 6-foot-6 wing.

Scheierman is also a strong passer and playmaker. That should come as no surprise considering his well-rounded athletic background. Not only was he a hoops star at Aurora High School, but he also quarterbacked the football program to a Nebraska state title in 2018, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards with 59 touchdowns to go along with eight rushing touchdowns.

He was born to compete, and he is ecstatic to join such a competitive professional sports organization with a rich winning history, one which he has held in high regard since he was a child.

“Growing up, watching the Celtics win in ’08 with (Kevin) Garnett, (Paul) Pierce, and (Ray) Allen and then watching them win this year and them having the confidence to pick me. “They don’t just bring anybody into the organization, and so I’m very excited for the opportunity and just excited to get to work.”

The Celtics could potentially bring another young prospect into the organization with pick No. 54 on the second and final day of the Draft Thursday afternoon. Tune into ESPN at 4 p.m. to see if another rookie will be joining Scheierman in Boston.