Boston Celtics second-year wing Jordan Walsh spent a majority of last season playing in the G League in Maine. But after a strong preseason showing, Walsh feels prepared to contribute in Boston this season.

Walsh averaged 9.0 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 36.8 percent from behind the arc. He also averaged 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in the five preseason games.

At the end of the preseason, head coach Joe Mazzulla was impressed by Walsh and he said that he’s carving out a role for himself on the team.

“Just have an understanding of what his job is- defend at a high level, defend multiple positions, rebound, and then make reads on the offensive end. So he’s doing a great job. Just really proud of his growth, the player development team, the work they’ve put in with him, he works hard at it. But he’s starting to carve out a role and just showing a really good attitude towards it, so it’s been fun to watch him grow.”

Walsh could be playing rotation minutes this season with the second unit. One of the aspects of his game he needed to work on was playing at a reduced speed so that he can process the game at a higher rate. He said it’s something that Jrue Holiday has talked to him about.

“I would say that after talking to Jrue a lot, he told me that, ‘Whenever you’re going 100 miles per hour, you’re gonna make a mistake, but if you’re going 80-85, you can make the right read, make the right decision, see the floor clearly 99 percent of the time.’ And that’s kind of how I took it, let me slow down a little bit. I can still get my first-step off a triple threat and get by somebody. Let me just slow down a little bit so I’m more a little more under control- I can see the floor, I can make the right read.”

The confidence is starting to build for Walsh, as he notices the team is passing him the ball more and looking for him. He feels more part of the team entering his second season with Boston.

“A lot came before between Summer League and now. But during preseason while it was going on, hearing the support of my teammates, kind of like trying to gain the respect of my teammates. Definitely boosted my confidence a lot more. Now, P’s passing to me a little more. JT’s giving me advice, passing to me a little bit more. So, it’s just all those ways are making me feel like, ‘Yo, I’m really a part of the team and I can help.’ And those guys believe it, and I believe it.”

The Celtics had high expectations when they drafted Walsh 38th overall in 2023 and signed him to a four-year, $7.6 million contract as a rookie. With the way the financial books look for the Celtics, it’s important to hit in the draft and develop young talent.

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Photo Credit: Vaughn Ridley, NBAE Getty Images