Villanova

The Celtics Reportedly Met With Donte DiVincenzo

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: May 23rd, 2018 · 10:34 AM EDT

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From Adam Zagoria at the New York Times:

Celtics President Danny Ainge took @NovaMBB 's Donte DiVincenzo to lunch after their workout this week, source says. Celts pick at No. 27 and are in the hunt for a 2nd-rounder also. pic.twitter.com/OedEkZnOLy

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 23, 2018

Hmmm, well DiVincenzo might not even be available at 27. The Villanova star, who was originally just testing the NBA waters, could instead hire an agent and enter the draft. He had an excellent combine and is now viewed as a late first round pick, mocked as high as 18 by CBS Sports (Spurs) and 20 by Sports Illustrated (Wolves). I’ve seen other mocks that have him going 30th (Hawks), 29th (Nets), and 21st (Utah).

He’ll have until May 30th to decide whether he’s in or out, but if he projects to go in the first round, I can’t imagine a Villanova return.

Shams Charania had a bit more at Yahoo Sports:

DiVincenzo hasn’t made a formal decision, but told Yahoo Sports that he expects to remain in the draft barring injury or a drastic change in his performance. Teams believe DiVincenzo has proved to be a first-round selection so far in the draft process.

“He was arguably the best all-around player in the games,” a team executive in Chicago told Yahoo Sports. As far as comparisons go, DiVincenzo may have a similar makeup to Philadelphia 76ers guard JJ Redick, but DiVincenzo is a more talented athlete and perhaps a more deft playmaker, with a ways to go to match Redick’s shooting skills.

The Sixers pick at #26, right before the Celtics.

Donte DiVincenzo balling at the NBA Draft Combinehttps://t.co/7XUXgCuKRq

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 20, 2018