NBA Draft

Boston Celtics

* These are not a actual documents submitted by the prospect. These are fabricated mock-ups, of which the player had no part in creating. *

"An extremely experienced guard with the type of size, length and skill that could lead me to the top career of any player in this Draft."

Boston Celtics
Attn. Danny Ainge
Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters
Boston, MA

Some say experience is the best teacher. If such is true, you, Mr. Ainge, should consider selecting me during Wednesday night’s NBA Draft.

My experience far exceeds the expectation for a player of my age, at 19 years old. The foundation of my experience began from the minute I was brought into this world.

I was born in America and then raised overseas in a professional basketball household. My father, DeRon Hayes, played in the ABA and then in the LNB Pro A.

I eventually turned pro at the age of 16 after developing my game throughout my youth years. I spent two seasons playing professionally for Cholet, where my dad played years before me. That experience set the baseline for me learning the ins and outs of actually being a professional, rather than just watching my dad be one.

Last season I advanced to BBL and EuroCup play as a member of ratiopharm Ulm. At age 18, I started all 30 games and compiled a stat line of 12.8 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.3 RPG and 1.5 SPL in EuroCup play.

The long story made short is that I have been born and bred for this game. When I arrive in Boston, you won’t need to teach me how to be a professional; I already am one. You’ll find that I’m an elite playmaker and shot-maker, even at my young age. You’ll find that my experience had pushed my game far beyond its years, and that my future is as bright as a star.

With all of that being said, I’ll gently urge you to consider this notion: Just imagine what I’ll develop into in the years to come.

My potential and upside is as high as – if not higher than – every player in this draft. Bring me to Boston, and I promise to work as hard as possible to reach that full potential while donning green and white.

Thank you for your consideration, good luck on Draft night, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

2020-draft-resume-killian-hayes

2020 Draft Resume - Killian Hayes

"An accomplished and talented big who at times looks more like a giant wing thanks to a diverse skill set."

You might be a bit confused when you watch me play. I look like a big, but I also look like a wing.

That, on the surface, is why you should consider drafting me Wednesday night with one of your four picks.

I stand in at 6-foot-10 with a wingspan that surpasses 7-foot-1. I rebound with the best of them, and I’m an intelligent defender who protects the rim. I averaged a double-double in the Big Ten as a sophomore and was elected to the Big Ten All-Defensive First Team this season.

That’s the “big.” Now let me explain to you the “wing” part.

I shot 36.8 percent from 3-point range this season and ranked fourth on my team in made 3-pointers with 32, or slightly more than make one per game on average. I am also an elite ball handler for my size, and when you combine that skill with my shooting ability, you’ll find a player that is a nightmare matchup for most opposing bigs against whom I’ll face off.

Most of the players who are drafted into the NBA and turn into stars are a freak in some way, shape or form. Consider my skill set, and you’ll have a difficult time telling me that I don’t fit that mold.

I’m incredibly excited for Draft night to arrive Wednesday night. My lifelong dream is about to come true.

Being selected by the most historic franchise in the sport’s existence would take that dream to a whole other level. I promise you I will carry on the tradition of Celtic Pride, all while utilizing my dynamic to help your franchise reach another level.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

2020-draft-resume-jalen-smith

2020 Draft Resume - Jalen Smith

"Extremely versatile big at both ends of the court who will remind you of a certain Heat player who gave you problems during the Eastern Conference Finals."

The future of your franchise hangs in the balance as you assess what moves to make to upgrade the roster around your talented core. With a that being said, you deserve nothing short of brute honesty from me, so here it goes...

I am one of many who saw what happened during this year’s Eastern Conference Finals, when Bam Adebayo averaged 21.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game against you. He was arguably the main reason why your season came to an end.

I have a suggested answer for him and similar athletic freaks around the league as you move through the coming years: me.

We are nearly identical in size and our games are eerily similar. I did to my opponents this past season what Adebayo did to you in the Playoffs; I burned them with an all-around game that is unrivaled in this Draft.

Adebayo was your problem this year, but Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and other athletic freaks of nature may also stand in your way in the future. I’m telling you with absolute honesty that I believe I could be your answer for them in the coming years.

You won’t be drafting a big if you pick me. You won’t be drafting a wing or a guard, either. I fit the mold of the new, positionless game of basketball – one of which you and Coach Stevens covet and appreciate.

I hope you take my honesty as a breath of fresh air. I may seem to be setting the bar high for myself, but that’s how I like it. I’m ready for the challenge.

2020-draft-resume-onyeka-okongwu

2020 Draft Resume - Onyeka Okongwu

"Big, athletic body that gives effort at both ends and finishes with power around the rim."

Boston loves a blue-collar player and I am every bit of that. That’s why I’m writing to you today to suggest that you deeply consider selecting me in this year’s Draft.

While I’m still developing my portions of my skill set, there’s no question about my heart and my effort. I play as hard as anyone at both ends and I finish with power around the rim.

I flew under the radar coming out of high school despite my dominant stats and size. I went on to perform at the highest of levels as a freshman at Arizona, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors.

It appears that some have not learned a lesson from what transpired over the last couple of years. Some continue to allow me to fly under the radar as the 2020 NBA Draft approaches. I strongly advise you do not make this mistake

I plan on surpassing any and all expectations yet again at the professional level, all while providing my team with a level of play that impacts winning. That’s what I seek, particularly with a team like yours which is positioned to win now and in a big way.

You need size, and I have it. Boston loves effort, and I give it.

This could very well be a match made in heaven. If you hold up your end of the bargain by calling my name next week, I promise you I’ll hold up my and help the Celtics reach the next level.

2020-draft-resume-zeke-nnaji

2020 Draft Resume - Zeke Nnaji

"A flame-thrower who can and will open up the court up for your dynamic scorers."

I’m writing you to tell you that you should highly consider selecting me with one of your four draft picks during the fast-approaching 2020 NBA Draft. The reasoning behind my statement is very clear: I am what you’re missing.

All of your top players are balanced scorers who are known to be able to attack the rim. However, they have not yet had a player around them with my shooting ability.

I was on pace to log one of the most prolific 3-point shooting seasons in the history of college basketball before I suffered my right foot injury Jan. 8. I was shooting treys in bulk, at 8.2 attempts per game, and I was making them in bulk at 4.3 per game. That’s a 52.2 percent clip over the course of about half the season.

I was on pace to make at least 132 3-pointers on the season. That would’ve been a top-10 performance in NCAA history – and my percentage would’ve been near the top.

You see, I shoot 3s like they’re free throws. I’ve got unlimited range and a fundamentally sound shot. You know as well as I do what that does for the star players I’d surround.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and the rest of the team would have far more space to operate when I’m on the court with them. The defense must respect my shot, no matter where I am on the court.

As we approach the Draft and you consider my suggestion, please also do not forget that I am the epitome of a team player. I’m smart, I’m willing to do the little things, and I put the team’s success ahead of my own success.

I know you’ve watched the film. I know you’ve seen my shot. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t look great in a Celtics uniform.

I hope to hear from you and see you in person soon. I’m ready to win.

2020-draft-resume-aaron-nesmith

2020 Draft Resume - Aaron Nesmith

"A late bloomer who’s ready to shoot the lights out and shut the opponent down in Boston."

You might not have heard much about me the last few years, but you definitely heard about me this year. You know why? I’m what they like to call a late bloomer.

Phasellus dapibus tincidunt feugiat. Praesent accumsan faucibus eleifend. Maecenas nibh ante, eleifend et metus eget, ornare aliquet lorem. Etiam congue convallis ipsum, ut dignissim sapien. Proin viverra ligula ac fringilla lobortis. Sed semper congue magna ac sollicitudin. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec blandit dictum felis quis faucibus. Aliquam erat volutpat.

My combination of hard work and physical growth over the past six years took me from a relative unknown in the high school ranks to a player who you should strongly consider drafting. I developed into a lethal shooter and impactful defender, all while growing 10 inches since my freshman year of high school.

I have a great work ethic that has brought me to where I am today, on the NBA’s doorstep. I play with skill. I play with effort. I impact winning.

If you select me with one of your picks, you aren’t going to regret it. Some may think that I’ve reached my peak as a player. To that group I would say: “What did you think about me two years ago? Three years ago? Four years ago?”

They didn’t think I’d become what I’ve become. Meanwhile, I knew all along.

I’m the 3-and-D sharpshooter with elite length who you’ve been seeking for years. Select me, and I promise you won’t regret it.

I’ll be waiting for your number to pop up on my phone Nov. 18.

2020-draft-resume-saddiq-bey

2020 Draft Resume - Saddiq Bey

"So I hear you like versatility? Trust me when I say: I’ll give you versatility."

I am writing to inquire about employment opportunities with the Boston Celtics. I’m aware that you are schedule to have multiple opportunities to add rookies to your team during this year’s Draft, and I just want to tell you that I think I’d give you and the city everything I have to earn respect and playing time.

I’m a lot like one of the players you chose last year, Grant Williams, in the fact that I may not be the most skilled player on the floor, but I’m always going to play hard and do the little things for you. I pride myself on having a high motor, and that’s what led my coach at Memphis, Penny Hardaway, to call me “relentless” after the season.

My high motor led to me to me leading the nation among freshman with 18 double-doubles while averaging 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

While rebounding is my strength, I provide far more than that on the court. That’s why I was able to win the AAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards this season.

I know Coach Stevens loves defensive versatility and I am loaded with it. I can switch on pick-and-rolls and hold my own against most defenders, and I expect to improve in this area while learning from NBA coaches. Coach Stevens also loves a good rim-runner and threat out of the pick-and-roll, and I’m definitely both of those.

I’ll remind you also that I’ve only been playing basketball since the eighth grade, when I moved to the US from Nigeria. I’m ready and able to learn and grow significantly from where I am now, and I would be grateful to do so in a Celtics uniform.

2020-draft-resume-precious-achiuwa

2020 Draft Resume - Precious Achiuwa

"An athletic guard with height and length who gives it all every time I step onto the court."

Boston Celtics
                                    Attn. Danny Ainge
                                    Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters
                                    Boston, MA

I am writing to you in relation to the four draft picks, including three first-rounders, that you and the Boston Celtics own heading into the 2020 NBA Draft. I want to be clear in my belief that it is in your best interest to consider selecting me at one of these pick slots, if the opportunity to do so arises.

You see, I’ve done everything in my power to prepare myself at a higher level than most prospects for the rigors and demands of a professional basketball career. I reclassified in high school to graduate a year early, which allowed me to transition into the next level of my basketball career at an earlier age. I then risked a lot by bypassing the typical NCAA basketball path to turn professional overseas, as I chose to play in the National Basketball League in Australia/New Zealand, eventually joining the New Zealand Breakers.

There is a very, very slim number of prospects who are as young as I am, who also have as much experience as I have. I offer a rare combination in that regard.

I know what it’s like to have basketball as my job. I know what it’s like to be professional on a daily basis. I understand the demands of travel, and how to balance them to stay mentally and physically prepared to succeed each and every day.

I also want to remind you that I am a gifted player on the court. I know based upon history that you value players who were ranked highly coming out of high school. I’ll use this letter, then, as an opportunity to remind you that I was the fifth-ranked prospect in the 2019 high school class by multiple respected organizations – and that was while reclassifying up a year.

Additionally, I averaged 15.4 points and 2.4 assists on a per-36-minute basis during my first professional season, of which I played the high majority at the age of 18.

I learned so much on my path that has taken me to where I am today. The lessons I’ve learned, combined with the years of hard work I’ve put in, give me confidence that I would far exceed expectations should I wind up with your team. I hope that you feel the same way.