Baylor Scheierman won’t have fond memories about his first NBA preseason.
Known as a prolific 3-point shooter during his college stints at South Dakota State and Creighton, Scheierman struggled to find the hoop in the opening weeks of his Celtics career.
The first-round draft pick went just 4-for-24 from the floor (16.7%) and 3-for-17 from 3-point range over his five preseason appearances. He totaled just 15 points in 58 minutes while recording more fouls (six) than made baskets. The only Boston player with a lower field-goal percentage than Scheierman was Ron Harper Jr., who attempted three total shots.
Scheierman’s scuffling likely erased any chance the 24-year-old had of cracking head coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotation to begin the season. But one Celtics veteran believes fans shouldn’t put too much stock in his preseason numbers.
Sam Hauser, whom Scheierman has leaned on as a mentor since arriving in Boston, said he’s still high on the rookie’s potential.
“It’s just like, those five games were his first NBA experience,” Hauser said. “It’s hard to really have expectations on anybody in that situation. That’s a tough spot to be in. I’m sure for himself he has high expectations. I try to remember my first preseason — I don’t think I played that well.
“So I keep trying to tell him to stay aggressive, keep shooting. I’ve been helping him out whenever he has questions and things like that. But he’s a great player and he’s going to do well, and I’m excited to see what he can bring to the table this year.”
Though he entered the NBA with far more experience than some of Boston’s other recent draftees, Scheierman likely will need to spend some time in the developmental G League before he’s ready to contribute at the NBA level.
Multiple current Celtics went on to become key rotation players following G League stints, including Hauser, who played 23 games for Maine as an undrafted rookie in 2021-22.
“It doesn’t always happen right away for a lot of players,” said Hauser, who signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension this offseason. “Even the first-round draft picks sometimes have to serve your time with the G League or behind the scenes working really hard and waiting for your turn, and that’s kind of what I had to do.”