Boston Celtics: Ranking the last 10 first-round draft picks by the Celtics

5. Grant Williams

The expectations were high for Grant Williams. After earning back-to-back SEC Player of the Year honors while at Tennessee, the Boston Celtics selected Williams 22nd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Although Williams is considered to be undersized, he has a great mind for the game and is also defensively instinctive.

Williams came into a situation where the Celtics were hoping he could possibly fill a void for the loss of Al Horford and take on some of the big man responsibilities for the team. Despite what many people think, Williams, for the most part, has exceeded expectations during his rookie season so far.

For a young player, Williams provides great defense and understands his role on a team that has already established its identity with their rising stars in Brown and Tatum. He is also part of the Celtics’ rookie class that consists of four draftees, one undrafted rookie free agent, and two players who were signed from the Euro League.

This season, however, Williams has proved to be capable of defending shooters along the perimeter and can hold his own up against an opposing big man. The ceiling is very high for Williams and I think he’ll be in Boston for a long time. The young rookie is averaging 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and one assist per game this season.