John Calipari churns out NBA players, and it looks like his latest could soon join one of the best teams in the NBA.
The Boston Celtics pick No. 28 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and as contenders do, they’ll be looking for someone who fits their system and can contribute in the early going if called upon.
Enter Adou Thiero, who plays for Coach Cal at Arkansas. ESPN’s latest mock draft, released Thursday, matches Thiero to Boston with the 28th pick.
MORE: Spurs predicted to draft Duke freshman star to pair with Wemby
“He remains one of the draft’s biggest gambles on pure physical ability,” ESPN writes. “A productive season still didn’t quite address the concerns about his limited feel and shooting. He’s one of this draft’s best athletes, allowing him to make plays defensively and finish around the rim at a high level, and to some extent covering for other holes in his game. There’s interesting role-player upside here if Thiero lands with a team that can maximize his strengths, helped by the fact he plays with a strong motor.”
A knee injury ended Thiero’s season prematurely, so his health will have to check out for teams to take a shot on him.
The 6-foot-6 wing has averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game for the Razorbacks. He played his first two seasons for Calipari at Kentucky.
“The defending champion Celtics have assembled an enviable, if expensive roster, making this pick (as well as Washington’s second-round pick, which Boston holds) a good opportunity to add cost-controlled talent,” ESPN writes. “Thiero would benefit from a situation such as Boston’s, where he’d be surrounded with experienced players to smooth his transition into a bench role.”
The mock draft also projects Colorado State’s Nique Clifford to go to Boston at pick No. 31 overall to start the second round.
MORE:
