{"id":5213,"date":"2025-07-12T21:49:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T21:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/5213\/"},"modified":"2025-07-12T21:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T21:49:04","slug":"brad-stevens-reveals-why-boston-celtics-made-surprise-addition-at-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/5213\/","title":{"rendered":"Brad Stevens reveals why Boston Celtics made surprise addition at center"},"content":{"rendered":"

LAS VEGAS \u2014 The Celtics<\/a> had a fresh face debuting on their Summer League team Friday night as Charles Bassey<\/a> was an unexpected late addition to the team\u2019s Summer League roster<\/a>. The former Spurs big man shined off the bench for Boston, posting 14 points and 11 rebounds in the team\u2019s win over the Grizzlies at Cox Pavilion. <\/p>\n

On Saturday, Brad Stevens revealed what led to Bassey joining Boston at the last minute to begin a potentially promising stint for the big man this summer. <\/p>\n

\u201cCharles has played a lot of NBA minutes over the last couple of years,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cLike several other guys, he made the decision at the last minute to participate in a practice or participate in a series of practices and ultimately played with the team. I thought he did a really good job yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bassey is an unrestricted free agent after playing his last three seasons with the Spurs. The 6-foot-10 big man has interested the Celtics dating back to last offseason, sources tell MassLive and there is a clear potential for opportunity in Boston after the offseason exits of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford. <\/p>\n

Stevens did not signal anything about Bassey\u2019s chances of sticking with Boston beyond this Summer League stint but the president of basketball operations spoke highly of the big man\u2019s impact in just 18 minutes. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to speak for him, what his goals might be,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cHe\u2019s a guy that\u2019s probably playing for what\u2019s next. I just think he\u2019s a guy we\u2019ve paid attention to from afar for a long time. We\u2019re watching all these guys all the time and I thought he did a really good job yesterday. He probably was the biggest reason we won the game I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Celtics currently only have Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman signed as big men on the roster along with two-way center Amari Williams. Boston\u2019s 15-man roster is currently full but there is plenty of flexibility for the team to bring in a player on a training camp contract. Stevens could also tweak the roster more in the coming days and weeks with a trade or opening up a roster spot. <\/p>\n

Whether Bassey earns an opportunity like that likely depends on his play for the remainder of the upcoming week in Las Vegas. For now, the 24-year-old looked like a cut above the competition in Summer League and could be a potential option to help replenish their depleted frontcourt depth. <\/p>\n

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