You can't teach height.
Even in the NBA, height and length are incredibly valuable commodities because they're inherent to a player. And for the Boston Celtics, they may be looking to snag the upcoming NBA Draft's tallest skilled player.
The Athletic predicts Boston will use the No. 28 pick to take Ryan Kalkbrenner out of Creighton. Kalkbrenner is 7-foot-1.
"Kalkbrenner averaged 19 points and nine rebounds this year and has consistently been one of the best defensive players in the country over the last four years, winning the Big East’s Defensive Player of the Year award in each season," Sam Vecenie writes. "With the Celtics looking to make trades to get them below the second apron, Kristaps Porziņģis is viewed as potentially expendable; Kalkbrenner would be a strong replacement with his ability to step away and shoot as well as protect the rim."
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Winning Defensive Player of the Year four seasons in a row is an incredible feat in any level of basketball, especially in the Big East.
Kalkbrenner averaged at least two blocks per game in each of the past four seasons.
And oh yeah, he's an incredibly skilled offensive player.
He led the Big East in field goal percentage in each of the past four seasons. And this past year, he improved to a 34.4% 3-point shooter.
As a final season All-American, Kalkbrenner put up 19.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while also dishing out a career-high 1.5 assists per contest.
Kalkbrenner may not be viewed as a high-upside selection after spending five seasons in college, but for a contender like the Celtics, he has the chance to be a perfect fit.
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