Celtics rookie Baylor Scheierman lives on the crossroads of competitors and pleasure

Two Washington State free throws knotted the sport at 74-74. A 21-year-old Baylor Scheierman inbounded the ball for South Dakota State. Zeke Mayo clutched it, his eyes eagerly looking for out Scheierman. As two Cougars defenders cornered him, he made the cross.

With 20 seconds left on the sport clock, Scheierman dribbled the ball previous half-court. Spokane Enviornment, full of Cougars followers and relations, rose to their toes. Washington State acquired of their defensive stance. All eyes have been on Scheierman. Anticipation slowly grew as they awaited the subsequent actions.

However the Jackrabbits knew what was about to occur.

Because the 10-second mark got here and went, huge man Luke Appel went to set a display for Scheierman on the prime of the important thing, however he ignored it. He drove in, stopped by a stunting Washington State defender. Noah Freidel ran throughout the free-throw line, operating his defender into the trail of Scheierman’s.

The star Jackrabbit introduced the ball as much as the left wing, faked in, pulled again, and despatched Andrej Jakimovski crashing to the bottom in a break up. Scheierman launched the ball with 1.4 seconds left, and the buzzer sounded by the point it hit nylon.

An audible groan flooded the gang as Scheierman and his teammate celebrated on their opponent’s residence ground. The plan was at all times for him to take the shot. His coaches knew it. His teammates knew it. He knew it. And he relished it.

That’s the participant the Boston Celtics are getting.

“Being an individual who prepares himself for that second after which delivers when his quantity’s known as, it’s one thing that’s laborious to search out,” Creighton head coach Greg McDermott, who recruited Scheierman from South Dakota State, advised CelticsBlog.

Lower than a yr after that game-winner, Scheierman traded in his Jackrabbit threads for a Bluejays jersey. His hoop goals prolonged far past faculty ball, and if he needed to see them come to fruition, he knew he wanted to problem himself.

Scheierman had carried out every little thing he might for South Dakota State. In his third and last yr, he helped them win the Summit League and earn a bid within the NCAA Match. They fell quick within the Spherical of 64, however he left his coronary heart on the ground of Frost Enviornment every night time.

“Each time I acquired to the health club, Baylor was already there,” South Dakota State head coach Eric Henderson advised CelticsBlog. “The final particular person to go away the health club, Baylor was nonetheless there. And so, simply that keenness that he had, and him placing us on his again once we had our historic season the final yr he had with us.”

It was this work ethic, this confidence that led McDermott to convey him on board following the 2021-22 season.

“Whenever you meet the man, you simply form of fall in love along with his confidence and his dedication to desirous to get higher,” mentioned McDermott.

Scheierman’s basketball journey led him again residence to Creighton. He performed highschool ball simply two hours away in Aurora, Nebraska, a metropolis with a inhabitants of 4,717. Now, Scheierman is the one lively NBA participant from the state.

From a tiny metropolis spawned an aura of credence, and Scheierman’s origin performs an enormous half in the way in which he carries himself on the court docket.

“Very type, however very assured,” McDermott mentioned of Scheierman. “You don’t get to the place he’s at, coming from a small city, in the event you don’t have some confidence.

“So, Baylor received’t again right down to anyone. He’s not afraid of anybody. He actually appears like he belongs. And he’s backed that up with plenty of laborious work.”

Whether or not it’s big-time threes, nifty dimes, or main his highschool soccer group with a state-record 59 touchdowns, Scheierman has at all times performed along with his coronary heart on his sleeve.

It’s a lifestyle that bleeds into apply and video games alike.

“You know the way it’s generally the place gamers, whether or not you name them players or they’re possibly slightly bit, or not fairly as aggressive in apply? You’re by no means apprehensive about that with Baylor,” mentioned Henderson. “He needed to win each drill. Each recreation drill that we had in apply, Baylor needed to win.”

Scheierman’s fireyness is met at a crossroads, nevertheless. A optimistic one.

For anybody who places the time into changing into an NBA participant, basketball turns into greater than a recreation. It’s life.

With that grind, pleasure might be sucked out of the sport. The once-childhood playground recreation that youngsters world wide develop up taking part in turns into a job. Scheierman hasn’t fallen into that lure.

He battles more durable than anybody…

“He’ll battle and claw and scrap and dive on the ground for unfastened balls,” mentioned McDermott. “I imply, that’s what this man’s about. That’s his DNA.”

…but concurrently performs with an unmatched bliss. And it’s been that manner his complete life.

“Primary, it was simply the enjoyment that he had taking part in the sport,” Henderson mentioned, explaining what led him to recruit Scheierman out of highschool. “Like, he had a flare that he wasn’t afraid to make a mistake, and he simply had enjoyable taking part in the sport.”

And in contrast to some hoopers, Scheierman’s love for the sport doesn’t shine by most whereas nailing a deep three or throwing down a poster jam. As an alternative, it’s when he’s making these round him higher.

“The primary trait that I fell in love with about Baylor’s recreation is his passing,” mentioned Henderson. “And so, when your very best quality is passing, it simply makes all people round you’re feeling so good.”

For Scheierman, simply being on a basketball court docket is elation, however an ideal cross is true basketball euphoria. It’s been that manner since highschool, and it was one of many first traits that stood out throughout Coach Henderson’s recruiting course of.

“It in all probability got here out principally in his passing. Whether or not it was a full-length soccer throw for a layup, and the way he beloved to rejoice that, a behind-the-back cross, or only a easy cross even, that flare, and that enjoyment for the sport was the very first thing that stood out.”

Scheierman’s mixture of jubilation and conviction helped him to 2 profitable seasons with the Bluejays. The primary yr was spent getting used to the upper stage of competitors within the Massive East, however within the second, he acquired again to dominance.

In his last collegiate season, Scheierman averaged 18.5 factors, 9.0 rebounds, and three.9 assists whereas capturing 44.8% from the sphere and 38.1% from distance. He led Creighton on a run to the Candy 16, the place they finally misplaced to Tennessee. Scheierman’s efforts landed him a spot on the All-Massive East group.

From Aurora to Brookings to Omaha, Scheierman discovered a solution to influence successful, and it led him to the NBA. However not straight away.

Earlier than his transfer to Creighton, Scheierman examined the NBA waters two years in the past. He accomplished some pre-draft exercises, together with one with the Celtics.

“The primary time coming by, clearly, was a few years in the past. They actually preferred my recreation,” Scheierman mentioned of his 2022 exercise with Boston. “Simply my skill to form of influence the sport in several methods, whether or not that be capturing, passing, dribbling, or simply my IQ.

“And so they felt like I might get slightly stronger, slightly faster, slightly extra explosive a few years in the past. And that’s form of what I attempted to enhance on these final two years at Creighton, and I really feel like I did that.”

Two years and two deep event runs with the Bluejays later, Scheierman acquired again within the health club with the Celtics. And this time, it panned out.

“For a small city child to have a dream like this after which see it come to fruition is actually particular to be a part of,” mentioned McDermott, who attended Scheierman’s Draft Night time gathering.

Boston chosen Scheierman with the No. 30 choose within the 2024 NBA Draft, investing in his continued progress as a participant.

“As I advised Brad Stevens final night time, he acquired an excellent one,” mentioned McDermott. “And Baylor impacts the sport and loves the sport in plenty of methods.”

With the NBA’s new two-day draft format, Scheierman was left on the sting of his seat as choose after choose flew by. Terrence Shannon Jr. to the Minnesota Timberwolves at 27. Ryan Dunn to the Phoenix Suns at 28. Isaiah Collier to the Utah Jazz at 29. Earlier than he knew it, there was just one choose left, and his title had but to be known as.

“We have been speaking slightly bit about what the plan was going to be for right this moment if it didn’t work out,” McDermott mentioned with a chuckle. “However I’m simply actually completely satisfied for Baylor, and likewise completely satisfied for the Celtics.”

Groups forward of the Celtics preferred Scheierman. They advised him as a lot. However they went in different instructions, clearing a pathway for Stevens to make his first first-round choice since taking on as President of Basketball Operations.

“I used to be undoubtedly assured coming into Draft Night time that I used to be gonna get picked that first night time,” Scheierman mentioned. “I believed I had a fantastic pre-draft course of. And there have been a number of groups that have been considering me earlier than the Celtics, and I believed there was an excellent probability.

“However my agent did an excellent job of simply telling me [that] there’s plenty of issues that may occur on Draft Night time. And on the finish of the day, every little thing occurs for a purpose. I’m precisely the place I’m speculated to be. So, I’m tremendous excited to be right here.”

Now, Scheierman is able to throw himself headfirst into Celtics tradition.

All yr, and particularly since successful Banner 18, the group has been screaming out “Completely different Right here” to whoever will pay attention. When the rookies stepped into the constructing, it was one of many first messages they despatched to them, in accordance with fellow first-year Anton Watson.

Scheierman understands how actually completely different it’s in Boston, and he’s desperate to be part of it.

“Simply tremendous excited to be part of this group,” Scheierman mentioned. “Clearly, the very best group in basketball. And a fantastic fan base. One of the best within the NBA. And so, simply tremendous excited to be part of that and simply get to work.”

And thru his first few Summer season League practices, he’s bringing the identical hearth that he’s carried with him his complete life.

“The factor that involves thoughts with Baylor is he’s only a competitor, and I believe that’s nice,” mentioned Celtics assistant and Summer season League head coach DJ MacLeay. “I believe seeing him compete on a day-to-day foundation and having an open-mindedness to what we do right here is one thing that he’s carried out a fantastic job of within the first two days.”

However maybe extra importantly, he doesn’t need to step on what the group already has.

On the commerce deadline, Stevens expressed the significance of not subtracting by addition. “Whenever you add gamers to your group, they will add to your group or take away out of your group,” Stevens mentioned. “You’ve simply acquired to watch out.”

As evidenced by their seamless, drama-less run to an NBA Championship, the Celtics embodied every little thing an ideal sports activities locker room needs to be. Not solely does Scheierman see and recognize that, but it surely’s one in all issues he’s most enthusiastic about.

“I simply actually preferred the group chemistry that they’ve,” Scheierman mentioned. “Everyone performs a job, and they’re actually good at, it’s a group recreation, and so they perceive that, and so they’re at all times deflecting credit score to 1 one other, and that’s the way it needs to be. The sport of basketball is clearly a group recreation, and clearly, they’ve large gamers as effectively, which is why they have been in a position to win the NBA championship.

“However the group chemistry is one thing that actually caught out to me, and I believe that’s one thing that I can are available in and likewise simply add to that as effectively. Form of simply being a connector and simply with the ability to influence the sport in any manner I can to assist them win.”

And primarily based on the way in which he’s interacted along with his previous groups, he ought to discover no points with the Celtics.

“Baylor’s like this connector,” Henderson mentioned. “He would hang around with so many various guys on the group. He had a persona that might relate to many individuals.”

Scheierman possesses the precise sort of persona that Boston ought to need of their locker room.

“He simply had that distinctive confidence about him that he was snug round anyone, and it was enjoyable to see him work together with all completely different teammates,” mentioned Henderson.

After years of falling quick, the Celtics lastly acquired the job carried out this yr. Trophies have been offered on the TD Backyard ground, confetti littered the town’s streets, and initially of subsequent season, a brand new banner might be raised into the rafters.

That group might be perpetually cemented in franchise lore, however they don’t need the run to finish there. And neither does the fanbase.

The love that Bostonians confirmed the Celtics en path to Banner 18 was as ferocious because it was solely due to the alternative impact. For nevertheless a lot the town loves their group, they equally refuse to just accept something lower than the very best.

Each recreation, quarter, and play is hit with a magnifying glass, and people expectations are solely intensified on the subject of the gamers. However Scheierman is able to impress.

“I wish to influence successful, whether or not that’s diving on the ground, making threes, or blocking pictures, no matter that is perhaps,” Scheierman mentioned. “And I wish to have enjoyable whereas doing it. I believe basketball, clearly, is a recreation that’s meant to be loved, and so, once I’m on the market on the court docket, I identical to to have plenty of enjoyable and wish to compete.”

Scheierman will nail a 30-foot three-point shot with the boldness of a thousand professionals, and on the subsequent play, he’ll sprawl out on the ground, chasing a unfastened ball that appeared ungettable.

And all of the whereas, he’ll be smiling.

“I believe he simply embraced each time that he might get on the ground,” Henderson mentioned. “And he had enjoyable, he smiled, he made certain others round him have been having enjoyable. And so, that’s what involves my thoughts once you ask that.”

Summer season League might be Scheierman’s first probability to indicate off his expertise to Celtics devoted, and he’s prepared for it. He might not earn many common season minutes. He might find yourself spending many of the yr in Maine. However that doesn’t matter.

Scheierman’s basketball persona survives on the intersection of confidence, depth, selflessness, and pleasure. And that’s what Celtics basketball is all about.

“They’re gonna love him, and he’s gonna adore it there,” mentioned McDermott.