Boston Celtics: Colton Iverson Trying Again To Make Roster
As the Boston Celtics begin their pre-draft workouts with NBA hopefuls this week, a more familiar face has returned for a second chance at finding a place on the Celtics’ roster for the 2014-15 season. Colton Iverson, who was selected with the 53rd pick in the 2013 draft, is back in Boston to work out at the team’s facilities and will join the Celtics’ when they enter the 2014 Orlando Summer League in July.
Iverson was selected in the second round of the 2013 draft after the Celtics purchased the 53rd pick to take the Colorado State senior. After participating in last year’s Summer League, Iverson signed with Turkish club Besiktas, where he spent last season playing his first professional season. In 47 games split between the Turkish League and the Eurocup, Iverson provided 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in just more than 17 minutes per game. The 7-footer used the opportunity to play against experienced professionals and develop his own game before coming back for a second chance to make the Celtics’ roster.
Iverson remains loyal to the team that drafted him and appears desperate to force his way onto the Celtics’ roster. Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe spoke with Iverson, who explained he made the Celtics a priority over going to the much larger Las Vegas Summer League to impress other teams.
"“I know they’re interested. I’m willing to go there for the next month and try to make my own spot, make them not be able to leave me off the roster next year. But that’s part of the business — you have to prove yourself.“I could easily go to Vegas and try to impress other teams, but they’ve already invested a lot in me, so I figure it’s in my best interest to go right out to Boston right now.”"
After spending three seasons at Minnesota, averaging 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in limited minutes, Iverson transferred to Colorado State and, with a bigger role, had an excellent senior year. The big man scored 14.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while shooting .596 from the field. Iverson made a name for himself as a hard-nosed player, a tough defender and brutal screen-setter.
The Celtics saw enough to warrant buying their way into the second round rather than hoping he would go undrafted and risk missing out. Holmes’ article explains that the Celtics have remained in constant contact with the 24-year-old center, with coach Brad Stevens and front office staff regularly talking with Iverson and still view the young big man very highly.
"“I talk to [coach] Brad Stevens. I know he wants players on the team that are going to come and work hard every day and be physical and rebound and play defense. I think I can be that guy that he wants on his roster.”The Celtics are indeed fans of his game, as director of player personnel Austin Ainge told the Globe earlier this year after visiting Iverson in Turkey.“We bought a draft pick to get Colton last year, and we monitor him very closely and we like him and his future,” Ainge said then. “He’s a guy that we liked enough in the past to do that, so that should give you an indication of how we feel about him.”"
We don’t know what is going to come of the Celtics’ offseason; with a high lottery pick they could continue the youth rebuild but we have also heard the loud rumors that the team is chasing All-Star forward Kevin Love. Whatever the path, there is always a need in the NBA for defensive minded big men, especially those on cheap contracts, and if Iverson has improved enough to impress general manager Danny Ainge and company, he could work his way onto the end of the 2014-15 Celtics’ roster.