As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Greg Mangano led the Ivy League in rebounding and blocked shots the past two seasons. (AP)

GREG MANGANO

Position: Power forward/center

School: Yale

Age: 22

Height: 6-foot-10

Weight: 231 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-Ivy League first team, 2012 NABC All-District team, 2011 All-Ivy League first team, 2011 NABC All-District team,

Key 2011-12 stats: 18.2 points, 47.4 FG%, 9.6 rebounds

What he brings: Despite being listed as a center by Yale athletics, Mangano’s scoring ability makes him more of a combination player. He isn’t the fastest player on the court but he moves well for someone his size, allowing him to shoot from multiple places on the floor, ranging from under the net to the perimeter.

The majority of Mangano’s rebounds are defensive, as he doesn’t excel at hitting offensive glass. In his senior year he led Yale in scoring, although he had trouble from the free throw line, finishing with a 65.5 percent conversion rate.

Where the Celtics could get him: If he gets drafted, Mangano will go late in the second round.

Notes: The Connecticut native declared for the 2011 draft to see if teams were interested in him but withdrew his name before the deadline. … Last summer he appeared in the 2011 World University Games as a part of Team USA. … Mangano led the Ivy League in rebounding and blocked shots the past two seasons. His 213 career blocks rank first all-time in Yale history.

Recent articles:

New Haven Register: Yale’s Greg Mangano opens some eyes at showcase

Hartford Courant: Yale’s Mangano Returning For Senior Season With Pro Career In Mind

Video: Here are some highlights of Yale’s win over Albany that features Mangano (44) hitting shots from all over the court.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Bradley Beal is a sweet-shooting 18-year-old who should be long gone by the time the Celtics are on the board. (AP)

BRADLEY BEAL

Position: Shooting guard

School: Florida

Age: 18

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 201 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-SEC first team, 2012 SEC All-Freshman first team, 2012 All-SEC Tournament first team

Key 2011-12 stats: 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 34.2 minutes

What he brings: Beal is a threat from outside thanks to his accurate, quick-release 3-point shooting stroke. Beal also is a good rebounding guard, as he led his team with 6.7 boards in his lone season at Florida. His 3-point shooting, as well as his high basketball IQ and strong work ethic, have drawn comparisons to Ray Allen.

While Beal projects well as a marksman at the NBA level, he only has average explosiveness and leaping ability for an NBA guard, and he has average size for an NBA shooting guard at 6-foot-5.

Beal still has developing to do, but his one year in college left him projected as an NBA starter who can make an impact on a team.

Where the Celtics could get him: Beal is projected as a top-10 pick, so the C’s would have to put together a big package to move up that far.

Notes: Beal was named Gatorade High School Player of the Year at Chaminade Prep in St. Louis. … Beal was named tournament MVP while representing Team USA at the U-17 World Championships in 2010.

Recent articles:

Sports Illustrated: Cleveland Cavaliers will draft Florida guard Bradley Beal if available

Sporting News: Bradley Beal still has plenty to prove

Video: Here is a highlight video of Beal’s lone season at Florida.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Furkan Aldemir is known as a strong rebounder, but any NBA that drafts him shouldn't expect to see him in the NBA for at least a few years. (AP)

FURKAN ALDEMIR

Position: Power forward

Team: Galatasaray (Turkey)

Age: 20

Height: 6-foot-9

Weight: 220 pounds

Achievements: 2011 U-20 European Championships All-Tournament team

Key 2011-12 stats: 8.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 20.7 minutes, 60.6 FG%

What he brings: Aldemir is a strong rebounder thanks to his physicality in the post as well as his soft hands and smart anticipation. The Turkish big man has a strong frame that will help him be effective in the post, which is where almost all of his production comes from on both ends of the court.

While he projects as a power forward at the NBA level, he will have to improve his athleticism and quickness if he wants to get any playing time. He will be a good rebounder, but he does not have much offensive touch to make him anything more than that.

Where the Celtics could get him: Aldemir is projected to be taken in the middle or latter part of the second round. Picking him is a gamble, as he’ll likely stay in Europe for at least a few years.

Notes: Aldemir was the top rebounder at the U-20 European Championships in both 2011 and 2010. … He was an early entrant to the 2011 NBA draft but later withdrew.

Video: Here is a clip of Aledmir with Galatasaray.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Rakim Sanders, who finished his college career at Fairfield after three seasons at Boston College, is a borderline draft prospect who helped his stock with an impressive showing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April. (AP)

RAKIM SANDERS

Position: Small forward

School: Fairfield

Age: 22

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 234 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-MAAC team, 2012 USBWA All-District 1 team

Key 2011-12 stats: 16.6 points, 50.0 FG%, 8.2 rebounds

What he brings: Sanders, who transferred to Fairfield after averaging double-figure points all three of his seasons at Boston College, is an athletic forward who doesn’t have trouble getting to the net. Even though he’s not going to be one of the biggest players on the court, Sanders plays an aggressive style of defense and doesn’t shy away from rebounding or blocking shots.

The Rhode Island native does not excel at 3-point shooting, converting 31.2 percent of his chances in comparison to his 50.0 percent field goal conversion rate. Sanders shot 63.5 from the the line his senior year, leaving room for improvement in that area as well.

Where the Celtics could get him: There’s a chance Sanders could go late in the second round after he averaged 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team at the Portsmouth Invitational in April, but he’s just as likely to be available as an undrafted free agent.

Notes: Sanders was the 2007 Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year. As a child growing up in Pawtucket, Sanders got into trouble frequently. He later went to a private school (St. Andrew’s) with the help of family friend Joan Doyle — wife of ex-Pawtucket mayor James Doyle — who paid part of Sanders’ tuition. … While at BC, Sanders was suspended the first two games of his junior season for a violation of team rules.

Recent articles:

Connecticut Post: Fairfield’s Sanders thanks his support group for his own success story

Pawtucket Times: Pawtucket’s Sanders putting best foot forward leading up to NBA draft

Video: This highlight package from Sanders’ sophomore year at Boston College shows his NBA-caliber athleticism and shooting ability.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Kevin Murphy had the highest single-game scoring total in Division 1 this past season when he netted 50 against SIU-Edwardsville in January. (AP)

KEVIN MURPHY

Position: Shooting guard/strong forward

School: Tennessee Tech

Age: 22

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 194 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-OVC first team, 2012 All-OVC Tournament team, 2011 All-OVC first team, 2011 All-OVC Tournament team

Key 2011-12 stats: 20.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 5.2 rebounds

What he brings: Murphy proved in his senior year that he’s a scoring threat from all over the court. The Georgia native is fast but not strong, something that might concern NBA scouts. He has plenty of other positives though, like his impressive scoring ability.

He can jump, is good at catch-and-release shots and can get to the rim. In his senior year Murphy led the team in 3-point shooting with a 41.6 percent conversion rate and he converted 72.1 percent of his free throws.

Where the Celtics could get him: Murphy is expected to be drafted late in the second round or go undrafted.

Notes: Murphy tossed up 50 points against SIU-Edwardsville in the best scoring effort by any player in Division 1 basketball this past season.

Recent articles:

NBA: Top-notch scorer Murphy has evolved into all-around player

CBS: Kevin Murphy scores 50, promptly heads to bed

Video: Here are highlights from Murphy’s 50-point night against SIU-Edwardsville in January.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

Ognjen Kuzmic is an improving center who has promise but will need patience as he continues to develop.

OGNJEN KUZMIC

Position: Center

Team: Clinicas Rincon (Spain)

Age: 22

Height: 7-foot-1

Weight: 231 pounds

Key 2011-12 stats: 10.4 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 2.1 blocks per game

What he brings: Kumic is surprisingly athletic for a player that’s over 7 feet tall, and he uses that athleticism to crash the boards and create opportunities for himself around the basket. He lacks polish and consistency in his offensive game, but can be very productive at times. He has solid footwork with a soft touch and has shown potential with his jump shot.

The most glaring weakness with Kumic is his lack of strength. Despite his large frame, he gets pushed around under the block and is easily backed down by opposing big men. Still, he’s an imposing shot-blocker — swatting over two shots per game last year — and has excellent timing and jumping ability. If he can get his shot-blocking ability on par with his ability to defend and be more physical down low, Kuzmic can develop into a solid, role-playing big man at the NBA level.

Where the Celtics could get him: Kuzmic is expected to be a mid-to-late-second-round pick.

Notes: A native Bosnian, Kuzmic began his playing career in his home country before going on to play in the first and second divisions of Finland, where his family lived after the war in Bosnia.

Video: Here are highlights of Kuzmic’s 21-point, 15-rebound, seven-block game against Tarragona last season.

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

UCSB guard Orlando Johnson has boosted his stock with solid pre-draft performances. (AP)

ORLANDO JOHNSON

Position: Shooting guard

School: UC Santa Barbara

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 223 pounds

Achievements: 2012 All-Big West first team, 2011 All-Big West first team, 2010 Big West Player of the Year

Key 2011-12 stats: 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.5 turnovers, 46.4 FG%, 42.7 3P%, 69.8 FT%

What he brings: Johnson is a well-rounded offensive player with an NBA body and impressive leaping ability. As the focal point of the UCSB offense, Johnson was asked to do a lot of different things and his skill set reflects it. He is a good 3-point shooter, penetrator and rebounder (particularly for a guard), and plays with a high motor.

But while Johnson is good at a number of things, he is not elite in any one area, something scouts worry will make for a difficult transition at the next level.

After playing his entire career at a mid-major school, Johnson shined at the LeBron James Skills Academy last summer, and that helped alleviate concerns over his ability to excel against elite competition. This summer his stock has continued to rise as he’s impressed scouts at various pre-draft workouts. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, Johnson has lost 16 pounds since the end of his senior season and added seven inches to his vertical. He also boasted an impressive 6-foot-11 wingspan.

Where the Celtics could get him: Originally expected to be a late-second-round pick or undrafted free agent, Johnson’s impressive pre-draft performances have him possibly going as high as the middle of the second round.

Notes: After a childhood filled with incredible tragedy, Johnson stands on the doorstep of fulfilling his lifelong dream. Johnson’s mother was murdered when he was just a year old. He never met his father. When Johnson was 6, the house he was sharing with 10 family members caught fire, killing four of his relatives. He then lived with his grandmother until he was 11 years old, when she passed away, leaving Johnson’s two older brothers, Robbie and Jamell, to raise him.

Johnson began his college career at Loyola Marymount, where he set freshman school records by scoring 383 points and averaging 12.4 points per game before transferring to UCSB. He went on to become UCSB’s all-time leading scorer in three seasons there (1,825 points).

Recent articles:

Tampa Bay Times: Older brothers raised UCSB’s Orlando Johnson following the deaths of six family members

Sporting News: NBA Draft 2012: Orlando Johnson garners attention

Video: Here’s Johnson working out at the NBA draft combine in Chicago.