Duke basketball: Celtics displaying interest in undervalued Blue Devil

The Boston Celtics are eyeing a Duke basketball name and own lots of picks.

As a Duke basketball one-and-done last season, Cassius Stanley was best known for pulling off dunks that were equal parts acrobatic and emphatic.

But high-flying stunts were by no means Stanley’s only contributions to the 2019-20 Blue Devils, who finished with a 25-6 record and No. 11 ranking in the AP Poll.

No, Stanley also exhibited a surprisingly crisp shooting stroke from deep — albeit rarely off the dribble — and a notably fun-loving personality.

Sure, the 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard averaged only 1.0 assists, indicating room for improvement in terms of spotting and hitting open teammates. Plus, while Stanley’s defense wasn’t a weakness, it also wasn’t a strength, though his high potential on that end of the floor is clear.

However, Stanley’s uber-athletic feats, in combination with his 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman, suggest he has what it takes to continue soaring in the NBA.

Cassius Stanley could join a fellow Duke basketball product in Boston

Evidently, the Boston Celtics appreciate Stanley’s total package. According to a Tuesday tweet from Forbes Sports NBA insider Chris Grenham, the franchise spoke with the 21-year-old this week via a virtual call.

Seeing that mock drafts have Stanley going anywhere between the late first round and the late second round at the 2020 NBA Draft on Nov. 18, the Celtics may have up to three opportunities to select him. As the draft order currently stands, they boast the following picks: No. 14, No. 26, No. 30, and No. 47 overall.

Of course, considering that Jayson Tatum is now one of the top young NBA stars after the Celtics nabbed him at No. 3 overall in 2017, the Boston brass should have reason to generally trust in the talents of Blue Devils.

ALSO READ: Former Blue Devil shows off Tiger-like golf swing

In addition to Stanley, point guard Tre Jones and big man Vernon Carey Jr. look to add to the more than two dozen former Duke basketball players currently in the NBA. Though none of the three are likely to be lottery picks, all of them are likely to hear their names before the show is over, and it’s not out of the question that one or more will end up in the first round.

What’s still not at all clear at this point is which one will come off the board first.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more on Cassius Stanley plus other news and views regarding all things Duke basketball.