LAS VEGAS — The Celtics have signed Hayden Gray to a contract with the Maine Celtics, a source told CelticsBlog. He led the NCAA in steals last season, averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 steals per game for UC San Diego.
Gray was a member of the Celtics’ Summer League team and appeared in one game this summer, a 101-80 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. In that game, he tallied 7 points (3-4 FG), 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 20 minutes. He stole a pass less than a minute after checking into the game.
“I’ve pretty good anticipation, reading the ball handler’s eyes, knowing where they want to go with it,” Gray told CelticsBlog earlier this week. “I take pride in defense. A lot of teams are really focusing on creating more possessions, and I think I can do that by causing turnovers and also just being a floor general, handling the ball, and setting the table for everyone.”
Matt Reynolds, who coached the Celtics Summer League team this month, took note of Gray’s defensive impact during the time they spent together.
“He‘s a guy that he’s got a nose for the ball, he had a transition block, downhill drive, kick out, finish,” Reynolds said. “He’s just a crafty player. But the big thing is he’s a very smart player, very savvy, and he’s attacking the basketball on defense. And I think he’s going to have an impact wherever he plays.”
As he looks to eventually break into an NBA rotation, Gray said he’s been studying players like Derrick White, as well as Oklahoma City Thunder guards Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace.
“Even in the Finals with the Thunder, you’re watching those guys a little closer than the other guys, just because they play a similar role to you,” Gray said. “Those guys are the best at it in the entire world. You can pick up little things that they do just by watching their film.”
How Hayden Gray landed with the Celtics
The Celtics brought Gray in for a pre-draft workout at the beginning of May, and right away, he was impressed.
“You could tell that Boston is one of the best organizations in the NBA — just how they run things, how the coaches carry themselves, how the front office carries itself,” Gray said. “It’s really good people all around the building.”
On Saturday, before he made his official Summer League debut, Gray said he was making the most of the opportunity with Boston despite limited minutes. Next, he will be a member of the Maine Celtics, where he’ll play for Phil Pressey. Pressey was one of the lead assistants for Reynolds this Summer League, and was a player development coach for the Celtics last season.
“I’m an undrafted rookie, so I’m really trying to just be a sponge and just soak in everything I can,” Gray said. “This is the highest level of basketball in the world. You’re around the best coaches, you’re around the best players. I’m really trying to enjoy the experience.”
