Celtics Finalize Roster With 2 Former First-Rounders

After a spirited battle by several players on the bubble, the Boston Celtics have finalized their regular season roster by confirming that two former NBA first-rounders have made the team. Hometown big man Noah Vonleh and forward Justin Jackson.

Forward/center Noah Vonleh has made the Boston Celtics opening night roster, sources tell ESPN. Vonleh capped his preseason with a 14 point, 13-rebound game vs. Charlotte. A former lottery pick, he played last season in China.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2022

The 9th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, the Salem-born Vonleh never quite broke through in his seven seasons, and was out of the league last year, playing in China. 

His strong preseason showing with Boston was capped off by a 14-point, 13-rebound game earlier this week. He's averaged 4.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in just under 17 minutes per game in his previous 339 NBA games with seven different teams. The Celtics will be his 8th. 

Jackson, a 15th overall selection by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2017 Draft, has had five fairly unremarkable seasons in the NBA, and actually got into one game and two minutes with the Celtics last season, along with six games with the Phoenix Suns. 

Honestly, shouts to Justin Jackson. Pretty admirable for a veteran to bet on himself, play in Summer League and impress enough to grab a roster spot.

— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) October 15, 2022

At 27, Jackson was one of the oldest players at Summer League, and averaged 16.7 points with 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Both Vonleh and Jackson have earned standard non-guaranteed contracts. Their contracts become fully guaranteed if they're still on the Celtics roster after January 7th. 

Photo: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports