LAS VEGAS — The Celtics released their Summer League roster on Tuesday but made one major addition before Friday’s opener against the Grizzlies. Boston brought aboard free agent center Charles Bassey to the roster in a surprise move, as the big man joined Amari Williams and Kenneth Lofton Jr. as the team’s primary bigs in Las Vegas.
“It was last-minute,” Bassey said. “I got a call from my agent and flew out the next day and started training camp with them. It’s been good, man. It’s been good from training camp to today’s game. The energy has been great, vibing with these guys and coaches, it’s been fun. Everything’s been good.
Bassey is arguably the most accomplished player in Las Vegas on the Celtics roster, having played four seasons already in the league, including the last three years in San Antonio. The Celtics have previously had interest in the 6-foot-10 center per a source but now there is clear opportunity in the team’s frontcourt following major offseason changes. The chance for a spot likely led Bassey to make a return to Summer League, an unusual move for a player who has played four seasons in the league.
Bassey clearly wants to showcase himself for a potential roster opportunity in Boston and did so well on Friday night, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench in the Celtics’ 92-78 win over the Grizzlies.
Summer League coach Matt Reynolds raved about Bassey’s impact after the win and how he’s acclimated after joining the roster so late into training camp.
“We found out he was going to join the team shortly before we got started with day one,” Reynolds said. “He did not participate in the live portion day one but he came in day two, again, as we talked about earlier, terminology and concepts, he was behind in that regard, but it was just clear that that guy can make an impact in the game and you saw that throughout the course of the game today. I think he was huge for us.”
Bassey finished with a team-high plus-20 and was a force on both ends of the floor with his rebounding (seven offensive boards) and rim protection (two blocks). He was also efficient with his offense, shooting 7-of-8 from the field, dominating the Grizzlies overmatched big men on the interior with his physicality. ‘’
“Great effort, rebounding, blocking shots, rim protection,” Bassey said of his skillset. “I bring great defense to the team. I just play my role. I know what a team needs from me and I know what they want from me and I do it every night.”
The Celtics have arguably the shallowest depth chart at center in the NBA at this point, with Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman and Luka Garza as the team’s only true bigs. Boston’s 15-man roster is full for the time being, but there are some non-guaranteed deals that could be moved. Another trade could also bring a chance to make a final roster.
Whether that chance comes for Bassey remains to be seen, but he looked like a player Friday that deserves a longer look to potentially bolster a very thin part of the depth chart in Boston.
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