Maine Celtics Tip-Off Training Camp

PORTLAND, Maine. - The 25th NBA G League season and the 16th in Maine got underway in Portland with a competitive first day of training camp on Monday in the Portland Expo.

17 guys are on Maine's training camp roster under first-year head coach Phil Pressey. The Celtics must trim the roster down to 13 players by November 6, which includes the team's Two-Way players in Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga and Amari Williams.

After working for two seasons as Player Development coach in Boston, Pressey is excited for his first opportunity as a head coach. Monday was his chance to set the tone for an energetic training camp.

"Our one non-negotiable is effort," said Pressey. "Just be a try-hard is what I say."

Pressey is a former NBA player, who spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics from 2013-2015. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. He knows firsthand about the winning culture in Boston and how that trickles down to the team's G League affiliate in Maine. The Celtics have reached the NBA G League Eastern Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons.

"Something we try to get the guys to understand is that the standard, is the standard," Pressey explained. "It doesn't matter if you are up in Portland or down in Boston. The standard is the standard. Joe Mazzulla has done an excellent job of building a system and its my job in Maine to replicate that, but also be creative as well."

Shulga was the lone Two-Way player available at the team's first practice on Monday. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Shulga has quickly learned about Celtics culture and the expectations not just in Boston, but also in Maine.

"It's a city that cares about its sports," Shulga said. "You can feel the passion and feel the responsibility of giving back to that and playing hard and playing a good brand of basketball. Giving back to the city by playing hard and giving the city something to cheer for."

This year's roster brings some NBA veterans to Maine. Wendell Moore Jr., Kendall Brown and Jalen Bridges bring a combined 119 games of NBA experience to NBA. Shulga was the lone Two-Way player available at the first practice of camp on Monday. After spending the 2025 NBA Summer League and preseason with Boston, the rookie is eager to gain more NBA-level experience with the Celtics G League affiliate.

"Play free. Getting experience because it's an NBA dynamic," Shulga said. "Up and down, really fast, so play free, don't overthink it. Getting experience and learn as much as you can with live reps. I think it's an opportunity to to grow and adjust to an NBA style."

Pressey recalls his experience as player while on assignment to the Maine Red Claws in 2015. He said playing in Maine is 'high level,' and he also remembers the restaurants being some of the best. Pressey understands what playing in Maine looks like, and is excited for the guys to also get that experience.

"I understand the atmosphere. They don't know, but after November 14; they will know about the atmosphere and the fans," he said. "I feel like the whole community of Maine is behind the Maine Celtics. Being able to be here and play here has helped me have that perspective. Now being here as a coach, father and husband, I get to experience that from a different perspective than as a player."

Training camp will build up to Maine's season opener on November 7 on the road in Greensboro. Maine returns home to the Portland Expo for the Celtics' home opener on November 14 against the Long Island Nets. Tickets are available now.