Colton Iverson has admitted he is hoping his 10-month spell in Turkey will stand him in good stead as he looks to earn a place on the Boston Celtics 2014/15 roster, with the franchise looking to prove the Betfair odds wrong and challenge for a playoff place. The 7-foot centre was signed by the Celtics as a 53rd pick in last year’s draft, but a packed roster then saw Iverson sent out to Europe to spend a season improving his game before returning to the US in a bid to try and earn his chance with the franchise next season.
After an impressive season with Besiktas in Turkey in which Iverson averaged 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds over an average of 17 minutes on court in 47 appearances, the 24-year old is now hoping to earn a chance to make his NBA debut this year for the Celtics. The hard-working Iverson has already caught the eye of the Boston management during his time in Turkey, and the rookie will now be hoping to further impress when he joins the veterans in offseason workouts in front of the Celtics coaches.
While many Betfair fans have tipped Iverson to be an important player for Boston next season, the 24-year old had insisted he still has plenty to do to earn his place on next year’s Celtics’ roster.
“I know I still have to prove myself. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m going to be preparing as much as I always do.”
“[The Celtics] wanted me to get some experience and keep playing hard — that’s the big thing. Work on my rebounding, expand my offense, work on my jump shot, screen-and-roll defense. I know Coach Stevens was big on that. I think he said he saw some good things out of me this year. I’m looking forward to showing him what I got better at.”
Following last year’s disappointments, Boston will be under no illusions that changes need to be made if they are going to make next season’s playoffs – something Betfair fans aren’t racing to back the Celtics to achieve. Whether Iverson is the man to solve this team’s problems remains to be seen, but the seven-footer is certainly a player who would offer Boston something a bit different in their bid to bounce back from last season.