The Boston Celtics selected guard Max Shulga with the No. 57 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
(The Orlando Magic technically made the pick, but you know how these things go. Shulga is headed to Boston.)
Shulga, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Kyiv, Ukraine, is a terrific shooter off the catch, which should help him fit the playing style in Boston. The Celtics are expected to sign him to a two-way contract, giving him time to develop at a new level and potentially earn himself a full-time deal.
“Shulga shot 39% from three-point range across his five seasons in college,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said on the network’s draft broadcast. “I’m told the Boston Celtics will have him on a two-way contract next season… He can play with the ball, did a lot of playmaking for VCU and can obviously shoot it well. We will see if he can guard his position in the G League, but if he can, he’s an NBA player.”
The Celtics made another pick on Thursday, selecting Kentucky center Amari Williams at No. 46.
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Boston, interestingly, took three international players with their selections: Hugo González (Spain), Williams (England) and Shulga (Ukraine).
Shulga, 23, is a decorated collegiate player, having secured the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Award in 2024-25 , while earning a pair of All-Conference nods during his stint at VCU.
