On the surface, to evaluate Baylor Scheierman’s rookie season is to get hyped over an And-1 mixtape. The kid certainly had 2024-2025 highlights with an unabashed showmanship for the game.
“I watched Rondo a lot. Rondo, Pistol Pete, Jason Williams. I’ll add a little bit of flare to it,” Scheierman told CLNS’ Garden Report. Behold that flare from CelticsBlog’s Nate Moskowitz:
That abandon from a rookie might suggest that the game is slowing down for him and he’s getting acclimated to the strength and speed of the pro game. However, a sweet behind-the-back pass or lefty three isn’t going to just immediately engender him to his head coach, Joe Mazzulla.
What’s important to recognize is that Scheierman was a producer all year. In fourteen games up in Maine last season, Scheierman exhibited the same potential (20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 40.8% shooting from behind the arc) that he displayed in his final season at Creighton (18.5 points, 9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 38.1 3FG%).
The numbers translated in the G League and they popped off the box score in late regular season wins against Philadelphia (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Brooklyn (20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from 3). It’s that all-around game that could make him a regular contributor next season.
Sure, there are concerns that he’s a defensive liability that lacks the athleticism for the next level and his game won’t scale up given an opportunity. But what we’ve learned from the Finals is that if you’re a gamer, you can find yourself on the floor for a championship team.
“A lot of people say Joe Ingles. I like that comp,” Scheierman told our Bobby Manning and Noa Dalzell of his player comparison. “I like watching Austin Reaves play. Max Strus. All those guys.”
Boston’s roster has been built around players like that, players that can do a little bit of everything. Scheierman is of that mold. At 6’6, he can shoot, attack close outs, and make plays off the dribble as a ballhandler. He noted that passing is probably his “best quality.” Out of the Celtics’ stock of young wings that also includes Jordan Walsh and Drew Peterson, he might be the best prepared to enter the rotation with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the shelf and Sam Hauser a possible cap cut.
“I’d like to gain a few more pounds and try to keep that on. Other than that, keep my body in good shape,” Scheierman said of his offseason plans. “On the court, I worked a ton with Craig [Luschenat] this year…on changing speeds and different finishes around the rim. I am a shooter, but I can do a lot of other different things…continuing to get better shooting off the move and distance as well.”
With the team seemingly looking to draft either a guard or big in Wednesday’s draft, that direction might signal their confidence in what they’ve got in wing depth, particularly with Scheierman. If the rookie’s late season surge was any indication, the showman is ready for the spotlight.
