Former Maine Celtics Shining At Summer League

Tomorrow’s G League stars are in today’s NBA 2K25 Summer League. 

Every July, prospects from all over the globe descend upon Las Vegas to put themselves on the map, and ultimately land on the NBA radar as teams put the finishing touches on their respective rosters before training camps open in September. For some, Summer League is a tune-up or their first taste of professional action. For those that have been there before, it’s a chance to show out on the big stage in front of nearly every front office executive and scout in the league and earn themselves the best possible opportunity for the upcoming season. 

Here’s what Boston’s remaining schedule looks like as the action continues in Vegas: 

July 15 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 PM EST  

July 17 vs. Charlotte, 5:30 PM EST 

July 19 vs. Dallas. 4:30 PM EST 

Depending on the results of the last three games, the Celtics could qualify for the Summer League championship tournament that runs from July 20-22. Despite opening Summer League with a close loss to Miami, the Celtics still have a shot to follow up Banner 18 with a ring out in the desert. A few former Maine Celtics will be leading the charge, too. 

Neemias Queta – Boston Celtics 

Queta started at center in Boston’s Summer League opener, putting up 20 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes played. 

Jordan Walsh – Boston Celtics 

Officially a second-year pro, Walsh started the game against Miami and could be a featured player on both ends of the court going forward. 

JD Davison – Boston Celtics 

Davison picked up right where he left off at the end of Maine’s season—the third-year guard dropped 19 points on 6-7 shooting, adding 3 boards and 9 assists. Maine’s all-time leader in games played and assists is slated to come back to the Celtics organization on a Two-Way deal for next year. 

Drew Peterson – Boston Celtics 

Along with Davison, Peterson is on the Summer League team and is set to return to the Celtics organization as a Two-Way player next season, bringing back two of the biggest contributors to Maine’s Finals run. 

Jaden Springer – Boston Celtics 

Though he only played one game with Maine last year, Springer gives Maine a full lineup of former players on Boston’s Vegas squad. 

Along with the five Maine alumnus on Boston’s Summer League roster, a host of last year’s Celtics landed on Summer League teams around the league. Coming off a Finals appearance to which every rotation player was a valued contributor, it’s no wonder so many players from our 2023-24 squad earned the opportunity to showcase their skills in a Thomas & Mack Center that will be packed to the brim with NBA executives, scouts, and coaches for the next week. 

DJ Steward – Chicago Bulls 

After posting career-highs of 19.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with Maine, the Chicago native earned a spot on his hometown Bulls’ Summer League team. Steward has started both games so far, dropping 10 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and three steals in Chicago’s opener against Milwaukee before posting 15 points and 9 assists versus Golden State. 

Kylor Kelley – Oklahoma City Thunder 

Kelley, the 2023-24 G League blocks leader and All-Defensive team selection has been the starting center for Oklahoma City’s Summer League squad, grabbing six boards and blocking three shots in the Thunder’s lone contest so far. 

Joe Wieskamp – Minnesota Timberwolves 

Wieskamp signed a contract with the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix of the NBL just prior to Summer League and has been playing with the Timberwolves in Vegas in hopes of landing another NBA deal before heading down under to Australia. 

Brandon Slater – Charlotte Hornets 

One of two former Maine Celtics on Charlotte’s Summer League roster, Slater has appeared in all four games for the Hornets thus far. The Villanova product has brought physicality and floor-spacing like he did with the Celtics—while playing for former Maine head coach and current Charlotte assistant Blaine Mueller. 

James Banks III – Charlotte Hornets 

Banks III joined Slater, Mueller, former Maine assistant coach and current Hornets video coordinator Austin Vereen with the Hornets. Plus, Portland native and former Gorham High School head coach Josh Longstaff is patrolling the sidelines for Charlotte’s Summer Leaugue team. Plenty of Maine connections down in North Carolina these days.