LAS VEGAS — Most of the players on the Boston Celtics Summer League team have little to no NBA experience. Several probably won’t ever sign an NBA contract.
But, all of the players who made the trip to Las Vegas with a Summer League roster do so with the hope of one day making it in the NBA, even if that hope is farfetched. Some are right there — Scheierman and Walsh played NBA minutes last year, and Hugo Gonzalez will inevitably get opportunities next season. Some are further away, and are mulling
overseas options for next season.
At Summer League, I asked four Celtics players — two former first round picks and two second round picks from this year’s class — which NBA players they’re currently modelling their game after.
Here’s whose film Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga are currently watching.
Jordan Walsh — Jaden McDaniels, Aaron Nesmith
Entering his third season, Jordan Walsh is eyeing his first real NBA rotation opportunity next season. The 21-year-old forward, who was selected with the 38th overall pick in 2023, has had a standout Summer League with the Celtics, averaging 15 points per game on 46.3% shooting and 38.9% from the three-point line.
While Walsh has drawn a lot from his Celtics teammates over the years — he’s frequently named Jrue Holiday as a defender he’s studied — he named two players around the NBA he’s watched film of: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels and Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith.
“Those are guys that I’m looking at, that I’ve had comparisons to, who are playing a role on championship-level teams,” Walsh said. “I have a bunch of their film, highlights, and stuff on my phone, on my iPad.
McDaniels is one of the NBA’s elite wing defenders and is also someone who can space the floor. Last year, he averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 47.7% from the field. Nesmith emerged as one of the league’s most reliable three-point shooters for the Pacers last year, hitting 43.1% from beyond the arc.
Amari Williams — Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis
Celtics’ 46th pick Amari Williams is known for his passing and court vision, so it’s no surprise that he currently studies two of the NBA’s best playmaking bigs: Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis.
Williams said before he hit his growth spurt, his favorite NBA player growing up was Derrick Rose. But when he got older (and taller), his inspiration became the two playmaking European bigs.
“[I’m] just seeing how he reads the floor — read the game through his eyes, see what he sees,” Williams said of Jokic. “A few of the European bigs — [Domantas] Sabonis, he’s a lefty as well. The moves he did, I tried to take.”
Amari Williams said Nikola Jokic become one of his inspirations once he hit his growth spurt, and that he’s watched a lot of his film
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 16, 2025
Back when he was a point guard, it was Derrick Rose pic.twitter.com/16HkNqKbDL
Max Shulga — Donte Divincenzo
Max Shulga is likely to spend some time in the G League as a two-way player with the Maine Celtics before joining the Boston Celtics. The Celtics’ No. 57th pick is currently modeling his game after Minnesota Timberwolves forward Donte DiVincenzo.
“He knocks down open threes, plays defense, disrupts on the defensive end, and when it’s needed, he can get on the ball — playmake, create his own shot, create for his teammates,” Shulga said. “I’ve been watching a lot of him.”
Max Shulga said he’s looking to carve out a Donte Divincenzo role in the NBA, and that he’s been watching a lot of his film:
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 16, 2025
“He knocks down open threes, plays defense, disrupts on the defensive end, and when it’s needed, he can get on the ball.” pic.twitter.com/hm77b1aq7s
Baylor Scheierman — Mike Conley, Duncan Robinson, Luka Doncic
Baylor Scheierman has more NBA experience than any current player on the Celtics’ Summer League roster. Scheierman, who was drafted 30th in 2024 after a standout career at Creighton, has struggled with his shot as of late. He’s averaging 12.3 points per game but shooting just 20.5% from three, while also tallying 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds a night.
At 24 years old, Scheierman appears to be a likely candidate to enter the rotation if he can find his footing offensively. Last season, he spent the first half of the year in Maine before joining the parent club for the rest of the year.
Scheierman said he doesn’t have one NBA player he’s currently modeling his game after; instead, he’s drawing different skills from different players.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily one guy,” Scheierman said. “I’m watching Mike Conley because he’s got a great floater. [I] watch Luka Doncic because he plays with good pace, plays off two feet, and [has] good passing, Duncan Robinson flying off threes. It’s just taking bits and pieces from other guys that they do well, and trying to implement that into my game.”
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