Scheierman, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound marksman, is joining the reigning champion Celtics.
The Celtics drafted Baylor Scheierman from Creighton University with the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
In the last pick of the first round, the Celtics acquired a 6-foot-6, 205-pound long-range shooter. Scheierman maintained a 39 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc throughout his college tenure. This season, he earned a spot on the first-team All-Big East by averaging 18.5 points and 9 rebounds per game.
Scheierman was recognized as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. He holds the distinction of being the inaugural player in Division I men’s basketball to achieve at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 3-pointers.
A tall, left-handed shooter known for his shooting range, Scheierman sank a 3-pointer in 48 consecutive games during his time at Creighton. He spent three seasons at South Dakota State before transferring to Creighton for his last two seasons.
Scheierman played a pivotal role in guiding Creighton to the Sweet 16 in the recent NCAA Tournament, where the Bluejays were defeated by Tennessee.
Before the draft, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens acknowledged the challenge for any rookie to immediately earn playing time. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser among other options on the wings, the Celtics have depth at Scheierman’s position.
However, having an abundance of shooters wouldn’t be a problem, and the Celtics can nurture Scheierman without immediate playing expectations. Last season, the Celtics led the league in 3-pointers made, highlighting the importance of spacing the floor with outside scoring threats, a priority for coach Joe Mazzulla.
Scheierman, who will celebrate his 24th birthday in September, is relatively older for a rookie. There are uncertainties about how his defense and athleticism will translate to the NBA. However, he has already proven himself as one of the top shooters in the Big East and has the potential to evolve into a specialist as he continues to refine his game.
The Celtics possess the 54th overall pick, with the draft scheduled to resume Thursday night.
