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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Justin Quinn

On this day: Celtics draft Langford, Williams, Edwards, Waters; Melo, Milicic, Rogers born

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise drafted four players of note in the 2019 NBA draft. With the 51st pick, the Celtics selected 5-foot-10 point guard Tremont Waters out of Louisiana State University, who would later sign with the team as a two way player who spent most of his rookie season with the Maine Red Claws — the Celtics’ G League developmental affiliate.

There, he would earn G League Rookie of the Year honors while averaging 18 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 7.1 3-pointers per game with 35.4 % accuracy in his inaugural season.

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He was with the team for two seasons (all as a two way player), with a career average of 3.8 points and 2.1 assists per game at the NBA level.

Dec 30, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Carsen Edwards (right) dribbles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies center Gorgui Dieng (14) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

With the 33rd pick of the draft (via the Philadelphia 76ers), the Celtics took 5-foot-11 shooting guard Carsen Edwards out of Purdue.

The Texan guard averaged 3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game with the parent club, and 22.2 points, 5.2 boards, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game with the Maine Red Claws (now, Celtics) in his rookie season.

Edwards has a career average of 3.6 points and 1.1 boards per game in the NBA with the Celtics, signing with the Detroit Pistons after two seasons in the league in Boston.

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) in the second quarter of Game 4 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

With the 22nd pick of the draft, Boston selected 6-foot-6 forward Grant Williams from the Tennessee Volunteers.

Williams quickly found a role as a rotation player in his rookie season despite an epic cold shooting streak and recorded 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and an assist per game in his first season in the league.

After three seasons with the team, Williams has improved his career average in the NBA to 5.4 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist per contest.

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) controls a rebound against Boston Celtics guard Romeo Langford (45) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Using the 14th overall pick of the draft, the Celtics took 6-foot-4 shooting guard Romeo Langford out of Indiana.

Langford spent much of his rookie season injured but still managed to display some intriguing ability on defense while logging 2.6 points and 1.2 boards per contest.

The New Albany native was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs at the 2022 trade deadline with Josh Richardson and draft assets for Derrick White and logged 3.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in his time with the Celtics.

Feb 19, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics center Fab Melo (13) warming up before the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It is also the birthday of former Boston big man Fab Melo (rest in peace), the team’s 22nd pick of the 2012 NBA draft.

He averaged 1.2 points per game in his sole season with the Celtics in just six total games played with the team and would be dealt with cash to the Memphis Grizzlies for Donté Greene.

Oct 15, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) is defended by Boston Celtics center Darko Milicic (99) during the first quarter at the Wachovia Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

It is the birthday of another former Boston big, Darko Milicic, who had the briefest of tenures with the Celtics.

Signed with the team in September of 2012, he would appear in a single game before leaving the team for personal reasons. He scored a rebound in that game and nothing else.

Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker celebrates with teammate Rodney Rogers (54) as Celtics’ Tony Delk (28) looks on after Walker scored from beyond half court at the buzzer against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, March 15, 2002, at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn. Boston won 103-97. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey)

Finally, it is the birthday of former Boston forward Rodney Rogers, who came to the team in a deal from the Phoenix Suns with Tony Delk for Randy Brown, Joe Johnson, Milt Palacio, and draft considerations in 2002.

Rogers would play 27 games for the Celtics in 2001-02, averaging 10.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, leaving the team in free agency the following summer.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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