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Celtics Working Out 'Sneaky' Guard Prospect Ahead of NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 7:11 PM ET

The NBA draft is just 10 days away, and it's safe to say, the Celtics are planning to look much different by the time it is over. If not on draft night, then certainly by the time the first full day of free agency ends on July 1.

The Celtics are aiming to remain competitive in 2025-26, despite the fact that Jayson Tatum is out with a ruptured Achilles tendon and team president Brad Stevens is tasked with finding ways to dump salary in an era in which dumping salary is very, very difficult.

Still, there should finally be some opportunities for the Celtics to do something they rarely get to do: develop young players. Boston is expected to give extended opportunities for three players who have been stuck behind veterans to date, starting with JD Davidson, the second-round pick in 2022 who averaged 25.1 points in the G League last year.

Guard Baylor Scheierman, who shot 41.1% on 3s and averaged 20.4 points in the G League, is also expected to get some chances. Versatile wing Jordan Walsh, the 21-year-old second-round pick in 2023, is also on the must-see list for Boston.

And the Celtics have two picks in this year's draft who could get a crack at playing time--the No. 28 overall pick and the No. 32 overall pick (from the Wizards).

Boston is likely to hold onto both picks and gather ups as many young contributors as possible. One guy who came through Boston this week is a guard who may not be drafted, but who one scout called, "a sneaky good prospect, because he is mature and he can shoot." That would be Zeke Mayo, the guard who transferred from South Dakota State to Kansas before last season.

In fact, he was posting on social media in the aftermath of his workout.

Kansas guard prospect Zeke Mayo posting at the Celtics practice facility and tagging Baylor pic.twitter.com/MApDLyuFiA
— Bri Marie D (@BriMarieD) June 16, 2025

Mayo averaged 14.6 points, 2.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds last season at KU, and shot 41.1% from the 3-point line. In four NCAA seasons, he shot 39.7% from the arc.

He is a fringe draftee, but if he does not hear his name on draft night, he is sure to be a sought-after free-agent signee.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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