Celtics 2024 NBA Draft grade for Baylor Scheierman

The Boston Celtics used the 3-pointer more than any other team last season, so it’s no surprise they selected a different shooter in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the 30th overall pick, the Celtics selected 23-year-old Baylor Scheierman out of Creighton University.

The 6-foot-4 shooter played five years of college ball, which gave him more experience than most rookies. In fact, he’s already older than a few current Celtics, including forward Jordan Walsh, guard Jaden Springer and point guard JD Davison.

Since Boston is fresh off a title, it helps to have a player who has the maturity to handle the NBA’s learning curve. Additionally, Scheierman is an elite shot maker, which can make a rookie’s transition to the league a lot smoother.

Before the 2024 All-American joins the NBA, we take a look at his accomplishments and rank the Celtics’ first-round pick for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Draft Class

Class A-

The Nebraska native spent his first three seasons of NCAA eligibility at South Dakota State, where he slowly developed into a star. In his final season with the Jackrabbits, Scheierman shot 50.8% from the floor and an incredible 46.9% from three-point range.

After that breakout performance, he took his talents to the Big East Conference, joining the Creighton Bluejays. While the jump from the Summit League to one of the toughest conferences in college basketball isn’t easy, Scheierman has handled it well.

He went from Summit League Player of the Year in 2022 to first-team All-Big East in 2024. Some of the other names on that elite Big East team included guard Devin Carter, who was selected 13th overall by the Sacramento Kings , and point guard Tyler Kolek, who is targeting a second-round selection this year.

During his senior year at Creighton, Scheierman shot 38.1% from deep while averaging three to eight attempts per outing. He also scored a career-high 18.5 points, nine rebounds and 3.9 assists over the course of the 2023-2024 season.

Scheierman was ready for the bright lights of the Big East, and now he’ll have to prepare for the intensity of the NBA (and possibly the G-League). His sharp shooting will be crucial for Boston as Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has emphasized winning the three-point battle during his tenure in Beantown.

If Scheierman can continue to shoot well from deep, there is a spot for him in Beantown. Just ask current Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser, who went from an undrafted rookie to a key player on the championship roster.

Hauser was able to get off Boston’s bench with his three-point shot and Scheierman was able to follow the same path. Defensive struggles are usually what doom shooters in the NBA do, but Hauser has largely overcome that.

Ironically, Scheierman is almost the exact same height as Hauser and faces some of the same questions in scouting reports. Can he defend at the next level? Can he keep up with the speed of the NBA?

The answers to these questions could very well define the 2024 rookie’s career. But if Hauser could develop on that side of the ball, Scheierman should have the tools to do so as well.

This does not mean that he will immediately be a replacement for Hauser. The third-year Celtic has a $2.1 million club option in his contract, which must be picked up or rejected by Saturday, June 29. Not exercising that option would make Hauser a restricted free agent. However, that could simply lead to the C’s giving him a longer contract.

Regardless of what the Celtics do or don’t pay Hauser, Scheierman is a good choice. He fits into Boston’s offense and is a three-point threat who can surround Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Of course, few rookies are good enough to crack the Celtics’ talented rotation. Brown, center Kristaps Porzingis, guard Jrue Holiday and other key players will return next season, leaving little room for new blood. So whoever was picked, they likely wouldn’t have an immediate impact in Boston.

That doesn’t mean Scheierman doesn’t have potential for the future. If he develops his defense, he could develop into a formidable role player who can’t be left alone beyond the arc.