MICHAEL_CARTER-WILLIAMS.JPG
Former Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams
(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Many Massachusetts natives grow up dreaming of a career with the Boston Celtics.
But former Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams, born in Hamilton, thinks he might want to take his basketball talents elsewhere.
The projected mid-first round pick in June's NBA Draft indicated that he would rather play farther from home, telling the Boston Herald, "That would be nice, but I kind of want to get away and play somewhere else."
The 6-foot-5 Carter-Williams had a nice showing at last week's combine in Chicago, where he was measured as having a 41-inch vertical leap. His wingspan had been rumored at 77 inches but measured at 79, making the point guard's height and length even more salivating for scouts.
After averaging 11.9 points and 7.3 assists as a sophomore, Carter-Williams declared for the draft. Some projections have him in the lottery, but it's possible he could remain available when the Celtics select at No. 16. Because of the many guards on Boston's roster, it would be surprising for president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to select one with the team's only pick (assuming they keep it and don't add another) -- but the team's short postseason certainly illustrated a need for a backup point guard in case Rajon Rondo ever sustains another serious injury.
Carter-Williams is one of the most talented point guards in this draft; and if he does get drafted by Boston, he wouldn't hate it.
“If the opportunity presents itself, that would be great," he told the Herald. "If I get chosen by the Celtics, that’s not something I’d be upset about. I’ll be happy about it. I’d just enjoy my time and work hard.”
He doesn't sound much like a lot of Massachusetts kids I grew up with, several of whom wore Celtics Starter jackets and know every word of "Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend" by heart. But then again, I already knew Carter-Williams shared few similarities with my peers when he scored 24 points against Indiana in the Sweet 16.