Celtics rookie Anton Watson shares Brad Stevens' message

Anton Watson spent the draft with friends and family at the Centennial Hotel near downtown Spokane, Wash. The former Gonzaga star watched the Celtics take the first round by selecting Baylor Scheierman, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter from Creighton.

When the second round began a day later, he watched anxiously as the other prospects in his draft class heard their names called. As players came off the board in the mid-40s, according to Cole Forsman of Gonzaga Nation, Watson admitted, “It started to get a little tense out there.”

But when Boston started the clock on pick No. 54, Watson’s wait was over.

“It was a special moment,” Watson said. “I’ve never seen my dad cry like that. It was the first time in my life, really. And yeah, (my family and friends) were all really proud of me. Just to be in that moment and to see them all supporting me, supporting what I’ve done throughout my life and my career. They knew I was ready to be in that position, so it was just kind of full circle and I took it all in.”

The 6-foot-8 forward said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told him during his pre-draft workouts in Boston that he “had his eye on me and he kind of told me he really liked me, he liked GU and he knew what I brought to the team,” Watson shared. He also noted that Stevens enjoys watching the former Bulldog showcase his versatility on defense, including his ability to pass on big men in the post.

On offense, Watson makes an impact off the ball as a savvy cutter and finishes efficiently at the rim. He also shot 41.2 percent from three-point range last season, but he averaged just 1.5 attempts from beyond the arc. However, there is reason to believe he will continue to shoot three-pointers well at a higher volume.

As Stevens made clear when discussing Boston’s rookie class after the draft ended, he wants Watson to “let it go.”

“He trusts my shot,” Watson said. “That was huge to hear him say that … he wants me to let it fly. So in those practices, I’ve been shooting a lot of three-pointers, you know, letting it fly. Once the game comes around, I think he wants to see me do that and build that confidence.”

While achieving his dream of being drafted into the NBA is a life-changing moment, for the six-foot-eight forward, who went 130-19 in his college career and helped Gonzaga win the national championship, being drafted by the defending champions, with a chance to help provide Banner 18 with more company in the rafters of TD Garden, made his night even more special.

“It’s a winning culture with the Celtics,” Watson said. “I think everybody knows that. I think they want me to come in and try to produce right away. I want me to develop as a player, develop in the league, and you know, what I do best is win games.”

The first chance to see Watson wear a Celtics jersey is during the Summer League, on Saturday, July 13, against the Heat.

Further reading

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Derrick White, key to Celtics’ dynasty hopes, signs 4-year extension

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Brad Stevens Shares His Take on Celtics Draft Picks

Baylor Scheierman shares Celtics’ comments before drafting him

Al Horford, Raising Cane’s and a Region That Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Essence of an Unprecedented Journey to Becoming the NBA’s Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA champion at the peak of his powers