Jordan Walsh is 19 years old and went to college for one year. Like the leap to Arkansas, he's undergoing another significant transition on and off the court.
As the Texas native gets familiar with a new city and a different playbook and gets acclimated to playing basketball at the highest level, he'll also have to adapt to a spike in games, travel, and responsibilities while figuring out how to successfully juggle it all and thrive as his lifelong dream meets its stiffest challenge.
As early as it is in that process, he's taking it all in stride so far.
"I've fallen in love with Boston, and I haven't even been here for 24 hours," expressed an enthusiastic Walsh Monday at the "Live, Learn, and Play" renovation at the Cambridge Community Center.
While discussing what he brings to the table, the 38th pick in this year's draft also showed he gets the fan base he's about to play for.
"A guy who harps on defense, who plays super hard, who's tough, who's gonna be consistent in that aspect of the game. Who's gonna do the simple things that help winning, that maybe other people may overlook, like diving on the floor.
"I heard that Boston likes people who dive on the floor more than people who dunk the ball; that guy's gonna be me. I'll still do a little dunking, but that guy will be me. And I'm just a guy who wants to do whatever it takes to win."
Walsh is also eager to learn from his new teammates, including a core group that's made multiple trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in recent years and came within two wins of a title.
He texted Al Horford, telling the Celtics' elder statesman, "I'm coming to the city. I'm glad to be here. I'm ready to work. Hopefully, I can be under your wing, and you can show me the ropes."
The former Razorback also conveyed, "Now that I have the opportunity to work with guys like (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown and Al, those people who have that experience who can teach me and give me hints of wisdom so I can better my game, that means the world.
"And I have a whole summer to work with them to prepare for the season, so that's the most important thing. I'm taking all the advice I can to be able to, hopefully, be able to achieve what they've achieved."
Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, shared an exciting update about Walsh after the draft, noting he shot the ball well in his two workouts with Boston.
Walsh's defense could lead to him contributing immediately to a championship contender. But shooting is his swing skill, and if he becomes a reliable kick-out option, he could develop into a starting-caliber player.
Monday, Walsh said he wanted to return for that second workout because "I know what type of organization Boston is. I know that being able to be with guys like Tatum and Brown, who can give me wisdom and are in a winning environment -- who have been to the playoffs so many times. An organization that has so many championships; to be in that environment, to grow in a place like that as your first place, so they set the foundation for your career, I feel like that's the most important part is that foundation, and Boston has a great foundation for that."
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