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Boston Celtics have an athletic freak in Semi Ojeleye

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) reacts with guard Sterling Brown (3) during the first half against the USC Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) reacts with guard Sterling Brown (3) during the first half against the USC Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics may have gotten a steal in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft in SMU star Semi Ojeleye. 

With the No. 37 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics selected SMU’s Semi Ojeleye.  While there were some critics, ESPN’s Max Kellerman in particular, who criticized the selection of Jayson Tatum with the No. 3 pick over Josh Jackson, Ojeleye is an athletic freak who could be a diamond in the rough.

The SMU forward exhibits the offensive versatility the Celtics are in search of.  Combine that with his NBA ready frame and athletic physicality and Boston is getting the type of player who could become a good rotation player in his early years in the league.

At 6-foot-7, 241 pounds, Ojeleye does have a nice outside shot to go with his athleticism.  He averaged 19.0 points a game at SMU while shooting 42.4 percent from 3-point range. The fact that he was still available at No.37 had Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge salivating.

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"“We were very excited that he was still there for us,” Ainge said, via the Boston Herald.  “We’re big fans.  He’s a great kid and has a great work ethic.  Again, very high character.  He can shoot, and we needed a guy like him.  Sometimes when we didn’t have a guy like Jae Crowder and got thin at those positions, and he gives us more depth with a 245-pound body that can make 3s.”"

With that comment, it does seem as though Semi Ojeleye could become a replacement for Jae Crowder, who is highly rumored in trades involving Paul George.

While that is the ceiling for expectations at this point, I would not be surprised if he became something more than a role player in the NBA.  He has the body, the versatile scoring and certainly the athleticism to be a force in the league.  All it takes is the right situation and perhaps the Celtics and coach Brad Stevens can bring out the most in Ojeleye.

If you haven’t seen him play, just take a look at what this kid can do below.

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