Baylor Scheierman is ready to be a Celtic: ‘It was an honor that they felt confident enough to pick me’

With the 30th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected Creighton wing Baylor Scheierman. But before he was a Blue Jay, he was a South Dakota State Jackrabbit.

And before Boston worked him out ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, they brought him in two years ago.

“The first time coming through, obviously, was a couple of years ago,” Scheierman said during his introductory press conference with the Celtics. “They really liked my game. Just my ability to kind of impact the game in different ways, whether that be shooting, passing, dribbling, or just my IQ. And they felt like I could get a little stronger, a little quicker, a little more explosive a couple of years ago.

“That’s kind of what I tried to improve on these last two years at Creighton, and I feel like I did that, which kind of put me in the position to be where I am right now.”

After working out with the Celtics before the 2022 NBA Draft, Scheierman got back in the lab. He transferred to Creighton in hopes of continuing his development, and that’s exactly what happened.

Scheierman’s numbers improved each year with the Jackrabbits, and while they took a dip in his first season with the Bule Jays, they jumped right back up. In his fifth and final collegiate season, Scheierman put up the best numbers of his college career.

He averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field and 38.1% from behind the three-point line.

Utilizing his previous pre-draft process as a springboard, Scheierman took full advantage of his time at Creighton to put himself into the position he’s in today.

“I think it kind of just opened up my eyes, that my first time working out, kind of just what I needed to improve on, and kind of what the NBA game was kind of all about,” Scheierman said.

“And then obviously, these last two years at Creighton kind of just really working on that, and the ability to come in this year and kind of just prove that I have grown as a player and as a person, and I think that really helped me, obviously, throughout this process and ending up getting selected.”

On draft night, with 29 picks gone, Scheierman was still waiting to hear his name. And with the NBA Draft’s new two-day format in effect, he was one selection away from having to bring his friends and family back to a second day of anticipation.

That’s when he got the call.

“I was very anxious coming towards the end of the first round,” Scheierman said. “And obviously, [I] got the phone call there while the Celtics were on the clock. And as soon as I got the phone call, I was super excited.

“Obviously, being picked by this organization that just came off an NBA championship, an organization that, obviously, doesn’t just pick anybody to come into their team, it was an honor that they felt confident enough to pick me and felt like I could come in and just impact the team in any way I can and try to help them just continue this culture that they already have set.”

Once the Celtics made their pick, Scheierman heard from his new teammates. Brad Stevens, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Joe Mazulla all reached out to the rookie to welcome him to Boston.

“Last night, Brad reached out to me,” Scheierman said. “And obviously, I talked to him my first time working out there, and then obviously this past time working out there as well. Had some of the guys reach out. Jayson and Al reached out, and Coach Mazzulla as well. And that meant a lot to me.

“I’m obviously really excited to get there and meet everybody and my new teammates and really just try to be a sponge and learn from everybody and try to intake as much information as I can that will help me grow as a player in the NBA.”

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

And as much as Scheierman loves the brand of basketball Boston plays, he loves the way the team carries itself even more.

“I just really liked the team chemistry that they have,” he said. “Everybody plays a role, and they are really good at. It’s a team game, and they understand that, and they’re always deflecting credit to one another, and that’s how it should be. The game of basketball is obviously a team game, and obviously, they have tremendous players as well, which is why they were able to win the NBA championship.

“But the team chemistry is something that really stuck out to me, and I think that’s something that I can come in and also just add to that as well. Kind of just being a connector and just being able to impact the game in any way I can to help them win.”

Now, with the Celtics, Scheierman is hoping to translate his all-around skill set into an impactful career. He’s the only NCAA Division I basketball player ever with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers. Obviously, five years of college ball helps those stats, but his well-rounded game shines through, regardless.

Fresh off a title, Boston’s rotation is fairly set. But Scheierman isn’t worried about fitting in. The newest Celtic wants to do three things: Win, hustle, and enjoy playing basketball.

“I’m a hard worker. I like to work, and I like to compete,” Scheierman said. “I like to just impact the game in any way I can. [I] like to impact winning, whether that’s diving on the floor, making threes, or blocking shots, whatever that might be. And I like to have fun while doing it.

“I think basketball, obviously, is a game that’s meant to be enjoyed, and so, when I’m out there on the court, I just like to have a lot of fun and like to compete.”