The Boston Celtics selected St. John's forward Dillon Mitchell with the 40th overall pick in the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound left-hander arrives with a reputation as one of the Big East's top defenders after stops at three college programs. Mitchell began at Texas for two seasons before transferring to Cincinnati and finishing his career playing for former Celtics coach Rick Pitino at St. John's. Boston had tracked him for years and considered trading up before landing him without a deal.

Mitchell ranked fourth nationally in the class of 2022 according to ESPN, ahead of future pros Brandon Miller, Kel'el Ware and Gradey Dick. Celtics forward Jordan Walsh ranked 11th in the same class. Both players share a defensive calling card. Mitchell stands taller than Walsh with elite athleticism that scouts have praised for years. Yet he faces significant offensive development before earning consistent NBA minutes. Walsh entered the league as a 22 percent 3-point shooter before improving to 38 percent from beyond the arc this past season.

Mitchell played in the McDonald's All-American Game and earned MVP honors at the Jordan Brand Classic after scoring 18 points. His career 48.9 percent free-throw shooting highlights the scoring challenges that likely await him at the next level. He shot just 6.7 percent from 3-point range at St. John's last season. Mitchell exists to create defensive havoc rather than stretch the floor with outside shooting.

His impact comes without needing constant touches. Mitchell averaged 7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while converting 59 percent of his field-goal attempts in college. Though he attempted fewer than six shots per game, his leaping ability helps him finish efficiently around the rim. The game plan centers on energy, defense and converting occasional open looks close to the basket. Those traits align with the physical, switchable wings the Celtics have targeted in recent drafts.

Vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren noted that Mitchell's leaping ability almost quite literally jumped off the court during an earlier viewing when the prospect was still quite raw. Mitchell helped St. John's reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 before a loss to Duke. That tournament run demonstrated his value as a player who affects games through activity instead of ball dominance. The Celtics already feature versatile wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but they continue building a roster that pressures opponents with length and athleticism on the perimeter.

Mitchell will join Boston's Summer League roster in July to test those defensive instincts against NBA competition. His rebounding, steals and rim protection could translate into a valuable bench role if he refines his shooting mechanics over time. The selection continues the Celtics' pattern of developing high-upside defensive talent from the second round, much like the path Walsh has followed. Mitchell's physical tools and motor give him a foundation to contribute in a rotating defensive unit that emphasizes versatility and effort on that end of the floor.