Celtics Should Snag Under the Radar Stanford Player in NBA Draft

The Boston Celtics had a good season, but it came to a sudden end when the team was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on May 2, after losing Game 7 of their series against the Philadelphia 76ers. That hurt, but it’s time for the team to regroup and move forward.

The next notable event for the Celtics is the 2026 NBA draft, and there’s plenty of excitement surrounding it. So, who will the Celtics take with their No. 27 selection?

In a mock draft from NBC Sports published on Monday, May 18, Raphielle Johnson and Kurt Helin have the Celtics going with guard Ebuka Okorie out of Stanford. It’s also worth noting that the next big date on the schedule is May 27, which is the withdrawal deadline day for college athletes who want to retain their eligibility.

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“Okorie is a dynamic scorer who averaged 23.2 points, showed the ability to get to the rim, and demonstrated toughness for the Cardinal,” Helin states in the piece. “The reason he’s available at this point in the draft is that it’s a deep draft for point guards, and he measured 6’1.25″ at the combine, although his 6’7″ wingspan will help defensively. If Okorie stays in the draft, this would be a good depth pick for the Celtics, who have had success with other small guards.”

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My Analysis: Why Ebuka Okorie is a Smart Pick for the Celtics

Okorie is more under the radar than many of the athletes in this year’s draft, but his story tells it all. When he joined Stanford, he didn’t get a lot of attention. But, his performance made other teams wish they had recruited him. During his freshman year, he averaged 23.2 points per game and wrapped up the year as a top player in the NCAA. The Celtics would be smart to get him while other teams are looking the other way.

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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 10:22 AM.