The Celtics officially signed their second of two 2026 NBA Draft picks on Wednesday, ending speculation that he could return to college this fall.<\/p>\n
Second-round selection Dillon Mitchell signed a two-way contract that will allow him to split time between Boston and the Celtics\u2019 G League affiliate in Maine.<\/p>\n
Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 wing known for his athleticism and perimeter defense, played two collegiate seasons at Texas and one each at Cincinnati and St. John\u2019s. His eligibility was exhausted when he declared for the NBA draft this spring, but the announcement of the NCAA\u2019s new 5-in-5 framework \u2014 which will allow college athletes to play five seasons, provided they complete those within five years \u2014 has prompted some players in that position to pursue an additional year.<\/p>\n
On Monday, college basketball reporter Adam Zagoria reported that Mitchell returning for another season with St. John\u2019s<\/a> was \u201cbeing considered.\u201d It\u2019s unclear whether the 22-year-old would have been permitted to do so after being drafted and appearing in games for the Celtics\u2019 Summer League team. His signing makes that debate moot.<\/p>\n Mitchell impressed for Boston\u2019s summer squad in Las Vegas, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and a team-high 2.7 steals over three appearances. His 24-point, eight-board, six-steal, two-block outing<\/a> against Charlotte was one of the best individual performances by any Celtics player in the tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he\u2019s playing with that kind of pop, he\u2019s going to be really good,\u201d Summer League head coach Amile Jefferson said.<\/p>\n Mitchell also showed improvement as a shooter, which was his biggest red flag entering the draft. He went 3-for-8 from 3-point range in Vegas, tripling the total number of threes he made for the Red Storm last season (1-for-15).<\/p>\n