WEEI.com continues to provide daily insight and analysis on the 2011 NBA draft. This is one in a series of profiles of players who might be available for the Celtics to select with one of their two picks (25th and 55th overall).

Kyle Singler

Position: Forward

School: Duke

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 228 pounds

Stats: 16.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg

What he brings: Singler had a distinguished four-year career at Duke and has experience at the highest levels of the college game. That’s a double-edged sword in the modern era of the draft where potential has a great currency than production. He’s also 23 years old, which is ancient for a prospect.

Singler has a reputation as a shooter, but his 3-point shooting also fell dramatically this season down to 32 percent. He’s not much of an inside player so he’ll have to be able to knock down jumpers. There are also questions about his athleticism and who he will guard in the NBA, but he’s a smart player and a good passer. In the right system and with the right team, he could become a solid role player. It’s difficult to project him being more than that as a pro.

Where the Celtics could get him: First or second round.

What they’re saying: “Kyle Singler is rock solid. He’s got the Duke pedigree. He plays with a Shane Battier enthusiasm. He came back to school for all four years. Let’s not punish him for that and then have all these discussions about guys coming out too early. This kid came back to school, left his imprint on that school, had a wonderful experience and now he’s ready for NBA life. He has limitations physically. But if you’re a good team drafting late in the first round, you slot him right in.” — ESPNU analyst Tom Penn.

Notes: Singler is a great trick-shot artist (see video below). The YouTube clip, “Kyle Gets Buckets” has over 800,000 page views.

Video:

3 Comments for “NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Duke F Kyle Singler”

1. Kel Says:
   May 31st, 2011 at 9:06 pm

   If Justin Holiday is around by the Celtic’s second round pick, they should grab him. He’s long, athletic and lanky. He can be a lock down defender, has a decent jumpshot which he can improve, and he has a high basketball IQ. He’s also played 4 years of college and so is more mature and experienced.

2. tjay Says:
   June 1st, 2011 at 3:17 am

   a 6’6″ kid that averaged 10 and 5 in the pac 10? is that a damn joke? sometimes kids stay in school because it delays the trip overseas and this is a primary case. You’re related to him, right Kel? Ainge and Doc aren’t reading this, find another way to get your nephew on a team.

3. Kel Says:
   June 3rd, 2011 at 5:32 pm

   No, I’m not joking and I’m definitely not related to him. You know he’s known for his defense, right? His offense is limited, but his shooting has improved drastically and that can continue if he works hard. However, his dedication to the defensive end will secure him a position on an NBA team. Stats don’t mean everything. He won’t be a star, but he has the potential to be a role player off the bench.

   And I’m talking about their 55th pick or whatever it is. Not their first round picks. Chill out. I’m just stating my opinion. You really ought to try to show a bit more class.

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