The Boston Celtics unveiled a freshly-renovated basketball court at the Cambridge Community Center with the help of the team’s No. 38 pick of the 2023 draft, Jordan Walsh. The Arkansas alum led shooting drills, signed autographs, and took pictures with local youth. Team mascot Lucky the Leprechaun was on deck for a dunk exposition, which Walsh emceed.
Walsh is a 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a knack for defense who could crack into the Celtics’ rotation this fall if he can defend with the same intensity he did with the Razorbacks. For now, he’s working on building a strong relationship with the team and city, telling reporters after the event that he’s already “fallen in love with Boston.”
Celtics rookies have been introduced at charitable events since the team launched its “Live, Learn and Play Center” refurbishment campaign in 2008. This latest renovation marked the 119th such project, something executive director of the Cambridge Community Center Darrin Korte believes is a huge opportunity for his organization.
“It’s incredible to host an event like this for the Boston Celtics,” Darrin told Celtics Wire. “Everybody in this community is such a big Celtics fan, so to have their support, validation, and investment in our work is huge. We’re a cornerstone for Cambridge, and this helps us further meet the needs of an evolving community of some of the most underrepresented and historically excluded youth, families, and seniors.”
The Cambridge Community Center has been a part of the city since 1929 and serves thousands of families with gym access, youth programming, and a food pantry. Walsh was thrilled to be a part of a community event like this.
“For these kids that have something like this,” Walsh said. “To have access to the Boston Celtics that means a lot. And it would mean a lot to me if I was a kid.”
Cameron Tabatabaie
Walsh also told reporters after the fact that he enjoyed giving back. He explained that the event itself was fun and that he was proud to be a role model to the young fans in attendance.
“It was great,” Walsh said. “They gave me energy the whole time. They were showing love, they asked for pictures. It was great to be able to talk to them and hang out with them for a day.”
Walsh will continue to get to know the city of Boston and his new club in the coming days before heading to Nevada for Las Vegas Summer League in a few weeks.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire