According to [HoopsHype's Draft Workout tracker,](https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-where-are-prospects-working-out/) the Boston Celtics hosted Nevada wing Kobe Sanders for a pre-draft evaluation. Sanders is the [19th prospect](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-2025-nba-draft-workout-tracker-scouting-reports-brad-stevens) to have worked out for Boston in recent weeks, leading up to the NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-8 guard played 33 games for the Wolf Pack in his super senior season. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per outing while shooting 46% from the field and 34.2% from beyond the arc. Sanders was named to the Mountain West's Third Team All-Conference.
He is projected to be a late second-round pick, meaning that it would be a reach for the Celtics to draft him with either the 28th or 32nd pick. They could, however, trade back and target the San Diego native, while likely netting some future draft capital.
Does Kobe **Sanders** make sense for the Celtics?
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Not particularly. Yet, that doesn't mean he's a bad prospect by any means.
Sanders has a unique skill set for his size. He plays more like a point guard with a knack for scoring than a traditional off-ball wing, which is pretty cool.
He's particularly dangerous in the pick-and-roll. Sanders' scoring and shot creation ability make him a threat from the moment he comes off of the screen, all the way to the basket. He loves to pull up at the elbows, where he's a pretty decent shooter. Sanders sank 51.3% of his attempts from the free-throw line midrange areas.
When he's not pulling up for a mid-range jumper, the 23-year-old does a great job of using his size and crafty footwork to finish at the rim. This past season, he was able to convert on 57.9% of his attempts around the basket.
Sanders' ability as a scorer greatly compliments his vision as a passer. He thrives at setting the roll man up for easy looks inside and throwing dump-off passes to big men in the dunker's spot, once he penetrates the defense. Of course, he's taller than most guards and can see over the defense much easier. This, paired with his consistent calmness, enables him to make good decisions even when he is blitzed off of a screen.
The problem is that Boston doesn't need more ball handlers. It'd be much wiser for them to target a center or a guard who is a more consistent shooter.
Sanders' fit with the Celtics would be questionable, especially as a rookie. He sank just 30% of his catch-and-shoot attempts from distance last year. His form isn't janky or anything, but his shot is relatively slow, too. So, it may be difficult for him to adjust to the smaller windows for open looks in the NBA. With that being said, Sanders was a solid free-throw shooter throughout his collegiate career, knocking down 79.4% of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Scouting experts typically point to free-throw efficiency as a good indicator of shooting potential -- so there's some hope there.
Defensively, the Nevada star is a mixed bag. On one hand, his size gives him the potential to be a switchable defender in the pros who can hang with some of the more physical wings. His defensive instincts are solid too, as he has good timing on rotations.
At the same time, there is plenty to be desired in terms of athleticism. Sanders lacks a quick burst on both sides of the floor, leaving plenty of questions as to whether or not he'd be able to contain smaller guards in the league.
While he may not be NBA-ready right now, there are grounds for believing in Sanders. His size and feel for the game open the door for him to be an exciting project. Plus, he's a late bloomer. He spent his first four collegiate seasons playing for Cal Poly, where he took a huge leap following his junior year.
If he continues to develop, especially physically, then Sanders could be an interesting rotation player someday. Again, it's unclear how much sense he'd make for the Celtics, especially considering that all three of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet may be on different teams in the fall. Targeting a center that has a high floor is likely the smartest path forward for Boston.
For a more in-depth look at potential Celtics prospects, check out the "How 'Bout Them Celtics" draft preview, where Jack Simone and I run through plenty of names with No Ceilings' Tyler Rucker.