The Celtics used their third and final pick of the 2025 NBA Draft on Max Shulga at No. 57 on Thursday night.
Boston originally had the No. 32 pick, but traded it to the Orlando Magic for pick No. 46 — which the Celtics used to draft Amari Williams — No. 57 and two other second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
Shulga was named first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference in his first season at VCU after transferring from Utah State. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and and 4.0 assists in 35 games for VCU this past season.
In five collegiate seasons, the 6-foot-5.5 guard shot 39.2% from 3-point range.
Here’s how those around the NBA felt about the pick, as well as what national media graded it.
CBS Sports
I love this swing for the Boston Celtics. Shulga is one of the best pure shooters in the draft who fell because of some obvious deficiencies as a defender with real limitations athletically. I’m not sure he has the physical tools to stick, but his shooting is so elite it’s worth finding out.
Grade: B
Bleacher Report
Shulga isn’t quite a shooting specialist, but that’s where he’ll make his biggest impact. He’s an off-ball sharpshooter in almost every situation, whether he’s scrambling around a screen, taking a dribble handoff or simply spotting up. He has enough functional handles to get around his defender, too, especially if they’re worried about his long-ball. He isn’t a creative passer, but he’s a capable one.
He needs to shoot well enough to be put into that specialist tier, though, because that’s the closest thing he has to an elite skill. And it tends to be more really good than great. His dribbling, distributing and defensive activity aren’t enough to get him a rotational role. His outside shot will have to do that.
That’s especially true now that he’s made his way to the Boston Celtics, who emphasize the three more than any team in the league.
Grade: C-
Yahoo Sports
Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he’s a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Boston’s positionless style could end up being a good thing for him since he’ll largely be asked to stroke 3s.
Grade: B-
Sporting News
Shulga is going to spend plenty of time in Maine next year as he’s likely on a two-way contract. 2025-26 will be a year for his development in the G League.
Grade: C+
The Athletic
Sam Vecenie : Shulga is one of those players who I want to love. He’s a shooter with a long track record of making shots. He can also do so off movement. He’s a way tougher defender than he gets credit for. He guards well at the point of attack and has no issues getting into someone’s space. I just wish that he was a bit bigger. The pathway here for him to make in the NBA is pretty narrow, although it certainly exists. It’s quite similar to someone like Sam Merrill, who has become an exceptionally valuable rotation player in Cleveland and will get paid this summer. The issue there, though, is that Merrill is genuinely one of the best shooters on Earth while also being able to hold his own on defense, whereas Shulga is merely a good shooter. To stick in the NBA, Shulga will probably need to hit that level as a shooter given that he’s not quite strong enough on the ball to legitimately play with it in his hands in the NBA. He’s a clear second-rounder to me, but one I would have interest in drafting in the mid-second round.