NBA Draft
Boston Celtics Select James Young at No. 17
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
The Boston Celtics selected guard/forward James Young from the University of Kentucky with the 17th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Young averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his freshman (and only) season in college.
The 18 year old can attack the basket while knocking down a jumper. He will add an offensive spark to the Celtics lineup. He will have to work on improving his defense, but at such a young age there is room to grow and develop.
“[I can bring] a lot of energy to the team on the offensive side, attack the basket and really just put a lot of points on the board,” Young said. “That’s what I’m there for, really just be an all-around player and look for open guys.”
Young will play alongside fellow Kentucky alum Rajon Rondo. Although they haven’t talked before, the team captain will most likely spend a lot of time in his ear about playing for the Celtics.
The one player Young is familiar with is incoming rookie Marcus Smart, who the Celtics selected with the sixth pick. They were roommates at the Draft Combine.
One of the first tasks on his plate? Reading up on the historic organization.
“I don’t really know much about the Celtics,” he said. “I just got to start doing my research tonight.”
