LAS VEGAS — Celtics Summer League standout Charles Bassey is no longer with the team, the Celtics shared ahead of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was always slated to play just three games, the team said, and had prior obligations the rest of the way.
Bassey was one of the team’s most consistent performers through three games. He opened up Summer League with a 14-point, 11-rebound performance in a Celtics’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and followed that up with a 22-point, 13-rebound, 3-block performance over the New York Knicks.
In Bassey’s final game with the Celtics, he recorded 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Bassey wasn’t initially listed on the Celtics’ Summer League roster, but was a last-minute addition. Summer league head coach Matt Reynolds said that Bassey missed the live portion of the first day of practice, but joined the team shorty after.
After his debut, when asked what drew him to the opportunity, Bassey cited a reason several Summer League players have pointed to this summer: “The culture.”
Bassey’s departure provides Amari Williams with more opportunity
Bassey, who was on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs last season, seemed like he could be a good fit to bolster the Celtics’ frontcourt.
But his departure opens up additional opportunity for Amari Williams, whom the Celtics selected with the 46th overall pick. Williams has appeared in two games so far during Summer League, playing 22 minutes in his debut and 16 minutes in the Celtics’ second game.
Additionally, forward/center Kenny Lofton — who recently won MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association — could see increased minutes in Bassey’s absence.
