Oshae Brissett’s Major Sacrifice Proves He’s Perfect for the Celtics

After a loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics shook up their roster this offseason. One new addition who figures to vie for a role in the rotation is forward Oshae Brissett, who signed with the C’s on the very first night of free agency.

Boston fans were excited to get an early look at the wing in the FIBA World Cup, where Brissett was slated to represent Team Canada. However, this past weekend brought news that the 25-year-old has pulled out of the event in order to rehab a reported knee injury.

While this is disappointing in the short term, it shows Brissett is focused on the much bigger picture, which is exactly what you want to see from a role player on a championship contender.

Oshae Brissett Celtics

Brissett has grinded his entire career to earn this opportunity in Boston. He originally went undrafted out of Syracuse in 2019, which caused his NBA journey to start in the G League. That didn’t deter him, however, as he logged 42 games in the developmental league from 2019-2021.

When Brissett did receive call-ups from the Raptors and Pacers, he made sure to take advantage of them. His mini-breakout during the 2020-21 campaign, which included averages of 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds over 24 games, paved the way for a legitimate role off the bench in Indiana the past two seasons.

Though he’s by no means a prolific scorer, Brissett has found other ways to impact a basketball game. He brings the energy whenever he touches the floor, and this results in creating easier transition opportunities for his team. His impressive athleticism allows him to finish these chances, too.

In order to really take the next step and become one of Boston’s top reserves, Brissett needs to be 100%. That means being as cautious as possible with his body if he’s feeling even a sliver less than full strength, especially for a player who relies on his athleticism to make plays.

This commitment to being his best self speaks volumes about how Brissett is approaching his Celtics tenure. It’s by no means an easy decision to pass up an opportunity to represent your country at a national basketball showcase.

Canada’s also one of this year’s FIBA favorites amid its talent breakout that’s spilled over into the Association. Possibly being part of a team that wins gold would be a major boost to Brissett’s standing within the Canadian basketball federation, but he’s instead focusing on his NBA obligations.

We all saw what happened when Danilo Gallinari went down in FIBA qualifiers last offseason after being a marquee addition for Boston. Any kind of intense international play is a threat to upend seasons, and Brissett should be commended for his decision to prioritize the Celtics over potential World Cup glory.