ESD Graduate Phil Pressey Signs With Boston Celtics
There is now another Pressey in the NBA.
Following in the footsteps of his father Paul, who played for 11 years in the NBA and was the league’s original point forward, former Episcopal School of Dallas and University of Missouri point guard Phil Pressey signed with the Boston Celtics after he was not selected in the league’s draft on June 27.
And with the Celtics rebuilding in the off-season, Pressey should have an opportunity to get significant playing time. Boston has already dealt Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets after trading head coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers. And rumors still have starting point guard Rajon Rondo, who is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, possibly being dealt.
“That was part of the reason he signed with Boston — to have an opportunity to be able to play,” ESD boys basketball head coach Corey Henderson said. “Because they’ll have a young team, they’re kind of in a rebuilding mode. He’ll have an opportunity to go after that second contract and be a bit more stable for years to come. There were a couple of teams that wanted to draft him. Boston was heavy on him, but I think they lost their second-round pick.”
As a junior at Mizzou last season, Pressey, who could not be reached for comment, averaged 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. He also made 46 3-pointers, became the Tigers’ all-time leader in career assists, and was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick by the league’s coaches.
Pressey started all three seasons he was at Mizzou, averaging 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He finished with 580 career assists in 99 games.
Paul Pressey, who is an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is a former Celtics assistant coach.
“Even before the draft, Boston was one of my favorite teams with Doc Rivers as the coach,” Henderson said. “Now I have three favorite teams — Boston, the Clippers, and the Nets. I’ll be rooting for all three. I, along with ESD, am very proud and excited for Phil as he takes on his dream of playing in the NBA for the Boston Celtics.“
Pressey is one of three sons of famous NBA players who will make their league debuts next season. Tim Hardaway Jr. was drafted by the New York Knicks, while Glen Rice Jr. was drafted by Philadelphia and traded to Washington.
