BRIGHTON — Miles Norris was on his manner dwelling from a G-League sport in Santa Cruz when he received the decision from his agent: the Celtics wished to signal him as their third two-way participant.
“He mentioned, ‘Go dwelling, pack up, be able to go within the morning,’” Norris recalled, talking to reporters for the primary time as a Celtic. “I packed as a lot as I might. It’s good to be right here.”
The decision was a very long time coming.
Miles Norris, who was undrafted, shared when he came upon about his Celtics two-way contract:
“I used to be truly on the connecting flight again from Santa Cruz G League sport. My agent known as me actual fast. He mentioned, ‘Go dwelling, pack up, be able to go within the morning.” pic.twitter.com/YNCUZqNzBs
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
Norris went undrafted in 2023 after a collegiate profession that included stints in Oregon, CC of San Francisco, and UC Santa Barbara. He’s bounced round within the G League ever since, spending final season with the School Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, and this season with the Memphis Hustle.
On Monday, he toured the Auerbach Heart for the primary time and accomplished his bodily. On Tuesday, he met Joe Mazzulla and the remainder of the Celtics workers and gamers, becoming a member of the staff for a morning movie session that was sufficient to focus on that the Celtics had been a successful group.
“It looks as if they’re a very linked group,” Norris mentioned. “I’m actually excited to be part of that. Some locker rooms are a bit completely different. It looks as if they’ve a very robust connection chemistry-wise and within the locker room.”
Norris has one pre-existing relationship with a veteran Celtic: Payton Pritchard, who he was teammates along with his freshman 12 months at Oregon in 2019.
The 2 received to briefly make amends for Tuesday morning.
“Payton’s an awesome man,” Norris mentioned. “It’s good to see him once more, good to be again enjoying with him once more after faculty. Small world. It’s like a full-circle second for me and Payton.”
Norris can be acquainted with Mazzulla, however within the very restricted manner that most individuals within the basketball world are — from seeing his viral press convention moments on Instagram.
“A number of the press conferences with him are fairly humorous,” Norris mentioned with a smile. “However he’s a great dude. An intense coach, however he additionally has a humorousness to him, so I like that.”
Norris went to Brewster Academy for highschool, which is a pair hours from Boston in New Hampshire. He’s been to Boston a number of instances, and mentioned his early impressions had been optimistic.
“I really like the town of Boston,” Norris mentioned. “I’ve been right here a pair instances. I’m gonna get used to the chilly climate, although, as a result of I’m a California man, so gotta get used to the chilly. However, I adore it out right here, to date – I really like the folks, teaching workers, the entire group.”
Miles Norris is blissful to be right here:
“I really like the town of Boston. I have been right here a pair instances. I am gonna get used to the chilly climate, although, as a result of I am a California man… however, I adore it out right here, to date – I really like the folks, teaching workers, the entire group.” pic.twitter.com/Vfkp2QCBd8
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
What stood out to the Celtics about Miles Norris
Norris has had an impressive 12 months for the Hustle. He’s averaging 17.1 factors, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, whereas taking pictures 38.5% from three. Mazzulla mentioned that Norris’s size, athleticism, and taking pictures capability all stood because the Celtics opted to signal him.
Mazzulla additionally mentioned that his earlier historical past of enjoying with Pritchard helped give the Celtics added confidence within the signing.
“If you realize guys that know different guys and so they can vouch for them, how they’re, particularly within the locker room, how they’re outdoors of the ground, it positively helps,” Mazzulla mentioned.
Joe Mazzulla on why the Celtics signed Miles Norris:
“His size, his athleticism, he’s proven an honest capability to shoot the ball.”
Additionally provides that he’s somebody Payton Pritchard vouched for as they had been faculty teammates pic.twitter.com/xfrVsPUb7W
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) March 4, 2025
Norris’s pleasure was palpable throughout his temporary dialog with reporters; in truth, he used the phrase “excited” 12 instances within the 5-minute interview.
That pleasure is comprehensible; that is the 24-year-old’s first time on a two-way contract, and it appears he might be an awesome match.
Jon Rosen, who supplies shade commentary for the Hustle, informed CelticsBlog he believes he’ll seamlessly combine into the Celtics’ three-point-heavy offense.
“Miles is ideal for the Celtics,” Rosen mentioned. “He’s a shooter. He does present his athleticism now and again and he’ll hammer one down, [he’s a] right-handed dunker… Miles Norris will completely shoot the quilt off the ball, and he shoots it a ton.”
Most two-way gamers spend most of their time with the G League membership, and it sounds prefer it’s up within the air for Norris proper now. However, for a man who didn’t hear his title on draft night time, and has but to signal a two-way, it was apparent this was a momumental second.
“I’ve been enjoying properly all season, simply sort of sticking it out within the G League, ready for my name — management what I can management,” Norris mentioned. “But it surely’s actually good to be right here in Boston. Like I mentioned, a successful tradition. I’m simply actually excited to be a part of this group.”
