16 potential Celtics targets to watch in the Sweet 16

If you’re a basketball fan, there’s a pretty good chance you know about Cooper Flagg.

You also know it’s highly unlikely Flagg will join the Celtics next year, barring a truly stunning twist or a blockbuster trade.

However, there are plenty of other stars playing in the Sweet 16 of March Madness that could be ideal fits in Boston. Here’s a closer look at some of those names, in viewing order from Thursday to Friday, with an eye toward the NBA Draft.

Egor Demin, BYU — Demin seems like a Celtic to me. A 6-foot-9-inch combo guard who is probably best at the point, he has an elite feel for the game and makes his teammates better. Shooting is a legitimate concern (28.1 percent from 3), but he’s averaging 5.4 assists and is good for a couple magical dimes a game.

Labaron Philon, Alabama — He’s electric with the ball in his hands and has a little bit of Tyrese Maxey in him. On a veteran Crimson Tide team, the freshman Philon has earned a starting role and emerged as a catalyst. He’s averaging 3.7 assists per game, is a pest defensively and pairs well with star guard Mark Sears.

Mark Sears, Alabama — There’s some debate about whether Sears has what it takes to play in the NBA, but anyone who averages 18.6 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds, has that kind of basketball IQ and finishes with the best of them can play for my team. Jalen Brunson is the obvious comparison. Sears’ ceiling may not be as high, but he’s a winner who plays with an edge.

Derik Queen, Maryland – Queen, an overpowering, 6-foot-10-inch, 240-pound freshman center, immediately cemented his spot in March Madness lore with a buzzer-beater against Colorado State. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor. Queen has elite footwork in the paint and plenty of finesse to match his undeniable power. The Celtics would likely have to trade up to get him, but he could fill a need.

Alex Condon, Florida — Condon is 6’11, but he plays like he’s 7’2. He has some Donovan Clingan in him, though he isn’t quite as dominant or menacing. He has a bit of an unconventional style, but he’s effective both inside and out and is averaging 1.4 blocks per game. At a minimum, he could provide depth long term; his ceiling, however, is quite high.

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida — Much like many players on this list, Clayton started his career at a small school (Iona) and has since broken out on a big stage. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds and is someone you want to have the ball in the game’s defining moments. There are some questions about how his game will translate, but he could provide a lift as a physical and savvy backup guard.

Kon Knueppel, Duke — Flagg is without question Duke’s best player, but he has plenty of help on a star-studded roster. It starts with Knueppel, a sharpshooting freshman who’s both taller (6’7) and tougher than he looks. He’s another player the Celtics would likely need to trade up to get, so it’s unlikely it would happen. Even so, he’s worth keeping an eye on as someone who should have a long and fruitful NBA career.

Khaman Maluach, Duke — Maluach, a 7-foot-2-inch, 250-pound center is projected to go early in the first round, but we can’t eliminate the Celtics as a possibility entirely when Brad Stevens is involved. Maluach is a force at the rim, averaging 1.2 blocks per game, but he also shoots 77.6 percent from the free-throw line – an impressive mark for someone his size. He has high floor and a high ceiling.

Isaiah Evans, Duke — Out of all the options on Duke, Evans may be the most realistic and ultimately the best fit. The Celtics could use another wing, and Evans is a knockdown shooter with a great feel for the game. He’s shooting 41.8 percent from 3-point range and is capable of going off at any moment.

Carter Bryant, Arizona — Bryant’s stats (6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1 assist) aren’t eye-popping, but he has a great NBA build at 6’8, 220, and is still a freshman. He’s shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 37.4 percent from 3 in 19.1 minutes per game. He projects as a 3-and-D guy who could complement Sam Hauser well long term.

Boogie Fland, Arkansas — Don’t let name fool you; Boogie would be a good pick (sorry, I had to). Arkansas isn’t exactly your typical Cinderella, but as the only double-digit seed left, the Razorbacks are technically the dark horse of this tournament. Fland, who missed part of the season with a thumb injury, is back and quickly finding his groove. A 6-foot-2-inch freshman guard with a great burst, he creates off the dribble and has a knack for drawing doubles and finding open teammates.

Adou Thiero, Arkansas — He followed John Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas and has shot 54.8 percent in a productive season. Thiero is 6’8 and is capable of bodying centers and sticking with guards as needed. Shooting is an area to monitor, but he gets to the rim with relative ease. The Celtics could use another elite on-ball defender, and Theiro may be a nice fit.

Jase Richardson, Michigan State — His stock is rising daily, but there’s always a chance he could slip to late in the first round and become a steal for a team like the Celtics. Richardson, a 6-foot-3 guard (yes, the son of Jason Richardson), is gaining confidence by the game with the Spartans. He’s shifty, has a great motor and can really shoot it.

Chaz Lanier, Tennessee — The Celtics love shooters who play with a chip on their shoulder and never stop competing. Hello, Chaz Lanier. After four productive years at North Florida, Lanier has become a household name this year. He has one of the most pure jump shots in the country and is also a tenacious on-ball defender. I think he’ll be a good pro for a long time and is someone I could really see playing in Boston.

Johni Broome, Auburn — Broome is one of the best stories in college basketball. He started his career at Morehead State, transferred to Auburn and has since blossomed into one of the best players in the country. His best asset, in my opinion, is his footwork. He’s one of those players where you know he’s almost always going back to the left, but you still can’t stop it. The next step for him is developing his 3-point shot, but he’s money from inside the arc and a bull in the paint.

Danny Wolf, Michigan — Wolf is one of the more intriguing players here. You can’t teach 7 feet and legit shooting ability. Think Kelly Olynyk meets Tyler Zeller, but with perhaps a bit less craftiness than Kelly (Kelly’s pretty good!). Out of anyone on this list, Wolf may be one of the best fits from a style and personnel standpoint.

Other names to know — Darrion Williams (Texas Tech), Koby Brea (Kentucky), Miles Kelly (Auburn), Milos Uzan (Houston), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)