Celtics Rookie Warding Off Opponents' Shots

PORTLAND, Maine. - Blocking shots is all about timing and it’s safe to say Celtics forward Hason Ward has been right on time this season.  

“I'm just trying to protect the basket at the end of the day, but the ones I know I can go get, I’m going to get them for sure,” Ward said.  

The rookie from Iowa State leads the league in blocks with 15 through four games of the NBA G League Tip-off Tournament (3.8 per game). Ward tipped off the season with a seven-block effort against Long Island, setting the tone for what’s been a stingy Celtics defense around the rim. Maine currently leads the G League as a team in blocks, averaging 10.8 per contest.  

“Protecting the rim is a point of emphasis,” Ward explained. “You can protect the rim in different ways. Going from A to B on the vertical and try to change somebody’s shot. But if I can go get the block, I will for sure try to beat it off the backboard or contest it at the rim.” 

Defense has always been a source of pride for Ward, who was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Defensive Team as a sophomore with VCU in 2021. Ward is listed as 6’9”, 200 pounds, and has a wingspan of 7’4”, helping him dial up those blocks. The rookie forward has provided a valuable spark to the team off the bench. 

“Coming off the bench I just try to take advantage of the opportunities given to me and try to bring the energy. Whether that be on the defensive side first and try to convert it to offense, but it starts on defense for sure bringing that energy and helping my team win.” 

He’s been a force around the cup on offense as well, where Ward is averaging 6.8 points per game on 55.6% shooting from the field in 19 minutes played. Ward credits Maine’s guards like JD Davison for getting the big men involved.  

“Guards like JD for sure understand how to play and (JD) loves to pass and that makes it a lot different. That’s good to see when you have guards willing to get the Bigs involved in the play is really good to have.” 

Ward was born in St. Thomas, Barbados, but he's no stranger to New England. When he was a freshman in high school, Ward's family took a trip during the summer to Massachusetts. He had barely began playing basketball and walking to the park when he was stopped along the street by a man.

"I was walking down the street close to Central High School in the summer one day and I was walking to the park and my (future) coach drove past me, stopped, reversed and started asking me all these questions. "How tall are you?" "Where are you from?" "What's your name?" He could barely understand what I was saying, my accent was way thicker and I told him I'm not from here."

The man was Springfield Central High School's head basketball coach Darryl Denson. Ward explained that Denson visited his family multiple times after that, trying to convince the Wards to let Hason play basketball for Central in Massachusetts, but he was initially turned down. Denson didn't stop his pursuit of Ward, and eventually Ward said he told his family that going to school in the U.S. could be a good opportunity. It turned out to be one that set him on a path for professional basketball.

Ward went home to Barbados, but by the next school year, at the age of 16, Ward had left his family and moved to Springfield, Massachusetts where he starred on the court for Springfield Central.

After stops in college at VCU and Iowa State, the shot blocker is adjusting to life as a professional in Portland. Ward has enjoyed signing autographs with young fans and has already taken part in a community outreach event at a local elementary school.  

“Portland is a nice place. I know it gets cold; this is the furthest north I’ve been. I’m from Barbados where it’s hot all year round. But the cold doesn’t bother me that much, it’s been nice. The fans welcome us, too. The Portland fans really love the players here and it’s a good thing to have.” 

The road to Boston begins in Maine, and Ward has shown the G League that he is a force to be reckoned with in the paint.  

Maine returns to the Portland Expo on Friday night for the first of two games against the Capital City Go-Go. Friday night’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. and will air live on NBAGLeague.com and on tape-delay on NBC Sports Boston.