Noah Vonleh of the Boston Celtics.
Noah Vonleh was given an extended look when the Boston Celtics brought him into training camp. Then he seemed to make the most of the opportunity, proving himself with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets on October 7.
Now, Vonleh is on the roster for the Celtics’ opening night, October 18 against the Philadelphia 76ers, and he voiced his excitement about being on the team.
“I was very excited, especially when they reached out to my agent about the idea of bringing me in early August,” Vonleh, 27, told reporters at practice on October 16. “I looked at the guys that were coming in, and I felt like I had a great chance and a great opportunity, and they also told me that I had a great opportunity. So, I’m just happy. Yesterday, finalized it, and I’m officially on the roster.”
After his strong preseason, Vonleh was “best positioned to secure one of the final two open spots,” Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe wrote on October 13. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that Vonleh had made the Celtics’ final roster cuts.
“Forward/center Noah Vonleh has made the Boston Celtics opening night roster, sources tell ESPN. Vonleh capped his preseason with a 14 point, 13-rebound game vs. Charlotte. A former lottery pick, he played last season in China,” Wojnarowski tweeted October 15.
Forward/center Noah Vonleh has made the Boston Celtics opening night roster, sources tell ESPN. Vonleh capped his preseason with a 14 point, 13-rebound game vs. Charlotte. A former lottery pick, he played last season in China.
Before the Celtics made their final cuts, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe reported on October 13 that Vonleh was before ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed it.
Vonleh acknowledged that he was not out of the woods yet because the Celtics could waive him before his contract becomes fully guaranteed.
“[I] still gotta make it to the trigger date, January 7, so I gotta stay locked in and keep taking it day-by-day from here on out and even beyond that,” Vonleh said.
The last time Vonleh was on an NBA roster was in 2020-21,when he briefly played for the Brooklyn Nets. The last time Vonleh had stuck with a roster through an entire season was 2018-19, when he played for the New York Knicks. That season, he played an average of 25.3 minutes a game, appearing in 68 games (including 57 starts) and averaging 8.4 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Justin Jackson Calls Making Celtics Roster ‘A Blessing’
The Celtics also kept 27-year-old forward Justin Jackson around. Talking to reporters on October 16, Jackson made it clear he felt blessed to play for the Celtics.
“It’s a blessing for sure,” Jackson said. “Definitely looking forward coming to an already great team, an already great historical organization, and just learning as much I can and contributing in whatever ways I can possibly contribute.”
Justin Jackson on making the Celtics: “It’s a blessing for sure. Definitely looking forward coming to an already great team, an already great historical organization, and just learning as much I can and contributing in whatever ways I can possibly contribute.”
Himmelsbach reported on October 13 that after the Celtics signed Jackson to an exemption contract last season, the Celtics had considered keeping him but opted instead to fill that spot with Nik Stauskas.
Jackson had his preseason breakout game on October 7 against the Hornets, scoring 16 points and adding four rebounds.
In five NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics and Phoenix Suns, Jackson has averaged 18.7 minutes and 6.5 points a game.
Joe Mazzulla Hints at Offensive Shift
Talking to reporters on October 16, head coach Joe Mazzulla hinted that the Celtics may think more offensively than they did last year.
“I think last year we thought defense first, and obviously, you have to do that. But now, with our skill, we can kind of think offensively as well. So, just a bit more balance and what gives our team the best opportunity to win,” Mazzulla told reporters.
Joe Mazzulla on going small this preseason: “Last year we thought defense first … now I think, with our skill, we can think offensively.”