The Rookies Are Ready

The countdown is officially on - In less than two months, Maine Celtics basketball will be back at the Portland Expo.

Maine returns to action when the 2025-26 NBA G League season opens on Nov. 7. The Celtics begin the season on the road; back-to-back games in Greensboro on Nov. 7-8, followed by a trip to Canada for a single game against Raptors 905 on Nov. 12. The Celtics then return to the friendly confines of the Expo for a home-opening back-to-back series of games against Long Island. Single game tickets for November and December games are on sale now.

For now, much of the 2025-26 Maine Celtics roster is still taking shape. Players will join Maine at the conclusion of Boston’s training camp, set to start later in September. Despite camp not officially opening, Maine’s Two-Way Players are in Boston getting ready for their rookie campaigns.

Max Shulga and Amari Williams were both drafted by the Celtics in the Second Round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Both participants in NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Shulga and Williams are dramatically different players on the court, while both going through their first preseason as NBA players.

Williams hails from the United Kingdom, was taken by the Celtics 46^th overall after a long NCAA career at the University of Kentucky. Listed at 6-11, 250 pounds, the 23-year-old will bring formidable size to the G League. He is also looking forward to helping Boston’s frontcourt as a Two-Way Player.

“It’s fun, just being able to learn from the older guys, vets who’ve been here for quite a while,” Wiliams said. “Just kind of being a sponge and learning as the season goes on, so it’ll be a fun year.”

At Kentucky, Williams was known for being an above average passer for his position. He says he’s looking forward to developing that even more at the NBA level.

“A lot of people are saying my playing soccer growing up,” Williams said. “That was my first sport and just not having a growth spurt until late. I feel like those two things helped my skillset and it’s something that’s helped me get to this level.”

Shulga was selected 57^th overall. The 23-year-old is a native of Ukraine, and will help fill the void in Maine left by the departing JD Davison. Coincidentally, the Celtics drafted Davison in a similar position; he was selected 53^rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. The hectic unknown of being a late selection was met with the joy of being draft by Boston.

”Everything was moving so fast,” Shulga said. “My agent was on the phone every minute, walking way, coming back. It was kind of chaotic, but when I got to know that the Celtics were going to pick me, it was unbelievable – an unreal feeling.”

Shulga finished his collegiate career with Virginia Commonwealth University, but initially started his NCAA years at Utah State, where he played with Celtics big man (and Maine Celtics alum) Neemias Queta.

“It’s obviously unreal to see that now we’re together on the team. It’s great,” Shulga said. “[Queta] said it’s going to be hard, as a rookie especially. There’s going to be a transition period and just try to learn as much as I can from coaches, players on the team, and the vets.”

Ultimately, Shulga feels right at home in Boston, and acknowledges the track record of player development within the organization.

“Boston is one of the best, if not THE best, franchises in the league,” Shulga said. “It does give me comfort knowing the history behind it, the history of undrafted players and Second Round picks. My job is to go out there and do my best and play hard.”