Jordan Walsh Explained

Jordan Walsh
Position:Small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:205
League:NBA
Team:Boston Celtics
Number:27
Birth Date:3 March 2004
Birth Place:Dallas, Texas, U.S.
High School:
College:Arkansas (2022–2023)
Draft Year:2023
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:38
Draft Team:Sacramento Kings
Career Start:2023
Years1:–present
Team1:Boston Celtics
Years2:2023–2024
Team2:Maine Celtics
Highlights:

Jordan E. Walsh (born March 3, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class. As a rookie with the 2023–24 Boston Celtics, Walsh won a NBA championship as a reserve.

Early life and high school career

Walsh grew up in DeSoto, Texas and initially attended Faith Family Academy in Dallas, Texas. He averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, 2.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game and was named class 4A All-State as a junior.[1] Walsh transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri prior to the start of his senior year.[2] He averaged 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his only season at Link.[3] Walsh was selected to play in the 2022 McDonald's All-American Boys Game during the season.[4]

Recruiting

Walsh was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class, according to major recruiting services.[5] [6] ESPN analyst Paul Biancardi rated him as the best two-way player in the 2022 class.[7] Walsh committed to playing college basketball for Arkansas over offers from Texas, Memphis, Arizona State, and Kansas.[8]

College career

Walsh entered his freshman season at Arkansas as starting wing.[9] Midway through the season he was moved to the bench as a key reserve.[10] Eventually, thanks to his length and athleticism, Walsh moved back to the starting lineup and became one of Arkansas' key defenders. In his lone season for Arkansas, Walsh averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. On April 19, 2023, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[11] Walsh later decided to remain in the draft.[12]

Professional career

Boston Celtics (2023–present)

Walsh was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft, then subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics.[13]

On July 6, 2023, he signed a four-year, $7.6 million contract with Boston.[14] On October 31, Walsh was assigned to the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League.[15]

On January 17, 2024, Walsh made his NBA debut in a 117–98 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, collecting 4 rebounds in the final 3 minutes of play.[16] On February 4, 2024, Walsh scored his first two NBA points in a 131–91 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden.[17] Walsh became an NBA champion when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games in the NBA Finals.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 9 || 1 || 9.2 || .400 || .222 || .500 || 2.2 || .6 || .6 || .1 || 1.7|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 9 || 1 || 9.2 || .400 || .222 || .500 || 2.2 || .6 || .6 || .1 || 1.7

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| 2024| style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 3 || 0 || 3.8 || .333 || .000 || || .7 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 3 || 0 || 3.8 || .333 || .000 || || .7 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Arkansas| 36 || 22 || 24.4 || .433 || .278 || .712 || 3.9 || .9 || 1.1 || .5 || 7.1

Personal life

Walsh has alopecia universalis, an autoimmune condition which prevents the growth of hair on the body.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Munz . Jason . September 24, 2021 . Memphis basketball recruiting: 5-star Jordan Walsh taking official visit . January 22, 2023 . The Commercial Appeal.
  2. Web site: Four-star basketball recruit Jordan Walsh leaves Faith Family, now at prep academy in Missouri. Dallas Morning News. September 6, 2021. January 22, 2023.
  3. Web site: High school basketball: MaxPreps Player of the Year in all 50 states. Jordan. Divens. MaxPreps.com. March 24, 2022. February 5, 2023.
  4. Web site: Nick Smith Jr & Jordan Walsh named McDonald’s All-Americans. Alyssa. Orange. FOX16.com. January 25, 2022. January 22, 2023.
  5. Web site: Walsh shows potential in win over Oklahoma. Mason. Choate. Rivals.com. December 11, 2022. February 10, 2023.
  6. Web site: Arkansas basketball recruiting: Five-star SF Jordan Walsh commits to Razorbacks. Kyle. Boone. CBS Sports. October 14, 2021. February 10, 2023.
  7. Web site: Davenport . Richard . May 23, 2022 . ESPN's Biancardi names Hog signee top 2-way player . January 22, 2023 . The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  8. Web site: Borzello . Jeff . Biancardi . Paul . Paul Biancardi . and . October 14, 2021 . Jordan Walsh, ranked No. 7 in the 2022 class, announces commitment to Arkansas . January 22, 2023 . ESPN.com.
  9. Web site: Murphy . Tom . January 22, 2023 . Hogs find their 'D' vs. Rebels . January 30, 2023 . The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  10. Web site: Musselman's Unplanned Handling of Walsh Against A&M Unlocks Key to Future Wins. Kent. Smith. SI.com. February 1, 2023. February 6, 2023.
  11. Web site: Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh declares for NBA Draft. USA Today. April 19, 2023. June 30, 2023. E.. Wayne.
  12. Web site: Jordan Walsh not returning to Arkansas, remaining in 2023 NBA Draft. Connor. Goodson. USA Today. May 31, 2023. June 30, 2023.
  13. Web site: Celtics Select Jordan Walsh With No. 38 Pick In 2023 NBA Draft. Gio. Rivera. NESN. June 23, 2023. June 23, 2023.
  14. https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1677069929198018560
  15. News: Scotchie . Luke . Celtics assign Jordan Walsh to G-League . www.boston.com.
  16. News: Terada . Souichi . Celtics rookie describes unforgettable NBA debut . masslive . 18 January 2024 . en.
  17. News: Himmelsbach . Adam . Celtics rout depleted Grizzlies in what originally had the potential to be a battle of top teams . 5 February 2024 . Boston Globe . February 5, 2024.
  18. Web site: Gosset . Brian . March 14, 2019 . Faith Family freshman, who won state on buzzer-beating dunk, not letting Alopecia stop him . February 10, 2023 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram.