The Boston Celtics added to their entrance workplace this week, hiring Drew Nicholas because the crew’s new Govt Director of Participant Personnel, in accordance with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Nicholas joins Boston after serving as a scout with the Brooklyn Nets. Previous to his time in Brooklyn, he labored because the Director of Scouting for the Denver Nuggets.
The Celtics’ entrance workplace had a key emptiness following the departure of Austin Ainge, who left final month to turn out to be the President of Basketball Operations for the Utah Jazz. Ainge spent a number of years in Boston’s group, beginning as Director of Participant Personnel earlier than being promoted to assistant normal supervisor. He was identified for his work in scouting and roster analysis, and his exit left a noticeable hole within the Celtics’ participant personnel division.
Nicholas now steps right into a essential function inside Boston’s basketball operations.
Whereas not a family identify, Nicholas has a various basketball background. Nicholas performed on the College of Maryland the place he averaged 17.8 factors per sport his senior 12 months. He performed professionally abroad for almost a decade. He gained explicit approval for his time in Europe, together with stints with golf equipment reminiscent of Anadolu Efes S.Ok. in Turkey and Panathinaikos in Greece.
After retiring from taking part in professionally, Nicholas transitioned into scouting and entrance workplace work. His time with Denver got here throughout a stretch when the Nuggets have been constructing one of many NBA’s most balanced rosters—an period that culminated within the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023. Though Nicholas was now not with the crew at that time, his earlier contributions to their scouting infrastructure have been half of a bigger organizational construct.
His hiring comes at a pivotal time for the Celtics, who need to construct off their 2024 NBA championship and hold the momentum rolling. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown signed long-term, Boston has a powerful core in place—and can now lean on its entrance workplace to maintain the supporting forged aggressive.
Nicholas brings precious expertise to a basketball operations group already led by Brad Stevens. His background as each a professional scout and former worldwide participant presents a well-rounded perspective—particularly with regards to evaluating expertise throughout completely different ranges and kinds of play.
Time will inform how Nicholas’ affect shapes Boston’s roster shifting ahead, however his monitor document in scouting roles with the Nuggets and Nets suggests he’ll play a key half in preserving the Celtics on the high of the Japanese Convention.
