Celtics add athletic, defensive-minded forward Dillon Mitchell with Pick No. 40

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have watched Dillon Mitchell’s development closely throughout his collegiate career. That years-long evaluation culminated Wednesday night when they selected the athletic forward with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Mitchell became Boston’s second selection of the Draft, joining first-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. after the Celtics used the 27^th overall pick on the Houston forward/center Tuesday night.

Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Zarren still remembers the first time he saw Mitchell play live. It was Nov. 16, 2022 – Mitchell’s third collegiate game at Texas. The freshman finished with eight points and nine rebounds in a 93-74 win over Gonzaga, but it was his athleticism that left the biggest impression.

“He almost quite literally jumped off the court,” Zarren recalled. “He had a great game. He was really raw back then, but his athleticism stood out. It took him a few years to sort of grow from there.”

The Celtics continued evaluating Mitchell throughout his sophomore season at Texas, his junior year at Cincinnati, and his senior campaign at St. John’s, where the 22-year-old blossomed under Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino.

Mitchell helped lead the Red Storm to a 30-7 record and a Big East Tournament championship while earning All-Big East Third Team, Big East All-Defensive Team, and All-Big East Tournament Team honors. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and a 55.9 percent shooting clip, while establishing himself as one of the nation’s top perimeter defenders.

“I think Dillon sort of found more purpose there,” Zarren said. “He became one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball. He’s long, he can move, and then the other thing we noticed this year that really grew was his passing skills on offense.

“He’s still a prospect, he’s got some work to do, but his athleticism and leaping abilities are really, really impressive, in addition to his defensive instincts. So he’s got a hell of a future ahead of him.”

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward arrives in Boston after appearing in 144 career games across four collegiate seasons at Texas, Cincinnati, and St. John’s. He averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 59.3 percent from the field.

Much of that efficiency came at the basket.

Mitchell converted 62.2 percent of his shots inside the arc during his collegiate career, using his explosiveness to establish himself as a relentless slasher.

The next step in his development will be improving his efficiency beyond the 3-point line. Mitchell shot 11-for-57 (19.3 percent) from long distance throughout his career, but Boston believes that area of his game will continue to improve.

“He can be successful even when he’s not shooting the ball, but he’ll get better at his shot,” Zarren said. “We don’t have any doubt about that. If you watch enough, you’ll see he’s got the ability to get better there. So, like any young player, there are things to work on, that’s one for him. But we’re really excited about Dillon.”

One of the night’s more memorable moments came before Mitchell’s name was even announced.

Former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, who recently returned to the organization in a front office role, called Boston’s selection into the league office. Thomas, who was selected 60th overall by Sacramento in the 2011 NBA Draft, also welcomed Cenac Jr. to the Auerbach Center earlier in the day.

“It’s super, super cool to have him here, and really neat to watch him see this side of it,” Zarren said. “He’s brand new, just starting, so not too much to do yet. He has some knowledge of this year’s draft class, but I think we’ll get the full benefit of his experience, which is different than the experience of anyone else in that room, more next season. This is more of a learning experience for him.

“It was really fun to see him make the pick tonight and be on the other side of that. IT is just one of the best people to be around, and his smile and joy for everything is infectious. So, just so fun to have him back in the building.”

As Thomas helped welcome the organization’s newest draft picks, the Celtics officially ushered in the next chapter for both Mitchell and Cenac Jr. Together, the pair gives Boston two athletic frontcourt prospects whom the franchise believes have the potential to develop into impactful NBA players.