ClutchPoints logo
    • NBA
    • Eastern
      Atlantic
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • New York Knicks
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Central
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Southeast
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Miami Heat
    • Orlando Magic
    • Washington Wizards
    • Western
      Pacific
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Sacramento Kings
    • Southwest
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Houston Rockets
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Northwest
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Portland Trail Blazers
    • Utah Jazz
    • NFL
    • AFC
      West
    • Denver Broncos
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • South
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Tennessee Titans
    • North
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • East
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Miami Dolphins
    • New England Patriots
    • New York Jets
    • NFC
      West
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • South
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • North
    • Chicago Bears
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • East
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • New York Giants
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Washington Commanders
    • MLB
    • National
      East
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Miami Marlins
    • New York Mets
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Washington Nationals
    • Central
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • West
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • American
      East
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • New York Yankees
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Central
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Minnesota Twins
    • West
    • Athletics
    • Houston Astros
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Seattle Mariners
    • Texas Rangers
  • NCAAF
    • WNBA
    • Eastern
    • Atlanta Dream
    • Chicago Sky
    • Connecticut Sun
    • Indiana Fever
    • New York Liberty
    • Washington Mystics
    • Western
    • Dallas Wings
    • Golden State Valkyries
    • Las Vegas Aces
    • Los Angeles Sparks
    • Minnesota Lynx
    • Phoenix Mercury
    • Seattle Storm
  • HBCU
  • Women's Sports
• • •
  • NHL
  • NCAAB
  • Gaming
  • Entertainment
  • Soccer
  • NCAA Sports
  • Fantasy
  • UFC
  • Golf
  • WWE
  • Newsletters
  • Sneakers
  • Clutch Covers
  • Start Bench Cut
  • Sportle
  • Quizzes
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
Get The App
  • NBA
  • Boston Celtics

Rick Pitino pushed Danny Ainge to draft Terry Rozier

In some insightful Boston Celtics related news, disgraced college coach Rick Pitino pushed Danny Ainge to draft Terry Rozier.

By

Mike Cruz

Nov 28, 2018 at 10:18 AM ET
Google News Preferred Source
featured-image

Terry Rozier became a revelation for the Boston Celtics when superstar point guard Kyrie Irving missed the latter part of the 2017-18 season and the entire post-season due to a knee surgery. “Scary Terry” became a thing as he filled in nicely for their injured star as the Celtics made a surprisingly deep playoff run with Rozier starting at the point.

The Celtics drafted Rozier with the 16th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Apparently, his former college coach Rick Pitino said in his podcast, The Pitino Press, that he was the one who pushed Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to draft his former Louisville guard with that pick.

“He’s never seen anybody do it a second time,” Pitino said. “My response was, ‘Danny, look, if you can get him in the first round, you’re going to get a hell of a basketball player.’ He was intrigued by what he said was the work ethic you had.”

The former Cardinal has proved his worth to the Celtics, and showed why he deserves to be a big part of the rotation. Rozier initially didn't play much during his rookie campaign, playing 39 games, and averaging just eight minutes per contest.

However, Rozier had a breakout season last year and further proved his worth in the 2018 playoffs, averaging 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists as Boston's lead guard. With his performance, he proved that he is a starting caliber point guard in this league.

But with Kyrie Irving now back in the fold, Rozier is forced to once again come off the bench for Boston. In 22 minutes per game, Rozier is averaging just 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists this season so far, a far cry from his break-out playoffs average.

Nonetheless, Boston still has a starting-caliber guard coming off the bench for them, and he is still a huge part of what they want to achieve this year. However, Danny Ainge has a great dilemma on what to do with Rozier, as he is set to be a restricted free agent in the off-season.

More Boston Celtics News
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce says Celtics choked, not Knicks’ talent, decided playoff seriesJulian Ojeda · 3 hours ago
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) attempts a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden.
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown didn’t shut down playing for Hawks. What would a Celtics trade look like?Gerard Angelo Samillano · 6 hours ago
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) reacts after his basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics
Insider predicts unique breakout season from Celtics’ big manColin Loughran · 1 day ago
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots the ball as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and forward Mikal Bridges (25) defend in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Boston Celtics
Why Derrick White ‘hates’ 3-point criticism surrounding CelticsDaniel Donabedian · 2 days ago
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) passes the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter at the TD Garden.
Boston Celtics
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown gives cryptic take on playing for hometown HawksMalik Brown · 2 days ago
Nov 9, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks speaks during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brooklyn Nets
Why more Nets trades could be coming after Cam Thomas signingErik Slater · 4 days ago
Don't miss a momentGoogle News Preferred Source
Go here and check the box next to ClutchPoints

Mike Cruz is an editorial writer at ClutchPoints, primarily covering the NBA.

You may also like
10 greatest Celtics in franchise history, ranked10 greatest Celtics in franchise history, ranked1 week ago
Why Derrick White enjoys Celtics’ newfound underdog statusWhy Derrick White enjoys Celtics’ newfound underdog status1 week ago
Celtics’ Derrick White names his least favorite NBA cityCeltics’ Derrick White names his least favorite NBA city1 week ago
Celtics news: Derrick White affirms ‘love’ for BostonCeltics news: Derrick White affirms ‘love’ for Boston1 week ago
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown gets clamped by principal, then dunks on himCeltics’ Jaylen Brown gets clamped by principal, then dunks on him1 week ago
Celtics guard Derrick White’s refreshingly honest take on 2k ratingCeltics guard Derrick White’s refreshingly honest take on 2k rating2 weeks ago
Celtics’ main reason for not trading Anfernee Simons right nowCeltics’ main reason for not trading Anfernee Simons right now2 weeks ago
Why Celtics fans are going wild over Portugal’s opening EuroBasket winWhy Celtics fans are going wild over Portugal’s opening EuroBasket win2 weeks ago
Celtics rumors: What Boston is seeking in Anfernee Simons tradeCeltics rumors: What Boston is seeking in Anfernee Simons trade2 weeks ago
Patrick Beverley thinks Kevin Durant vs. Larry Bird isn’t ‘close’Patrick Beverley thinks Kevin Durant vs. Larry Bird isn’t ‘close’2 weeks ago
Celtics’ Payton Pritchard unfazed by starting lineup rumorsCeltics’ Payton Pritchard unfazed by starting lineup rumors2 weeks ago
Boston Celtics NBA 2K26 ratings that are 100% wrongBoston Celtics NBA 2K26 ratings that are 100% wrong2 weeks ago
Terry Rozier
Just In
Chargers’ Teair Tart gets swift fine for Travis Kelce face mask4m
Dabo Swinney’s blunt response to Clemson’s 1-2 start6m
Clemson fans in shock as Georgia Tech pulls off upset12m
Cowboys’ Tyler Smith lands record-breaking $94 million extension15m
Phillies’ Trea Turner, Alec Bohm updates surface as postseason draws near24m
Want more NBA rumors?

🚨 Join thousands of fans and get the hottest NBA rumors, breaking news and exclusive insider scoops with the Clutch Newsletter.

ClutchPoints Logo
HomeTerms of ServiceAboutPrivacy PolicyContact UsDMCA PolicyPressEthics and StandardsAdvertiseTeamSitemap
Follow Us
Copyright © ClutchPoints.