​Rewritten article: My Celtics’ Rookie Dillon Mitchell Demonstrates Major Growth in Impressive Summer League Showing originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Boston Celtics are off to a strong start in NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas, moving to 2-0 with a win on Sunday over the Charlotte Hornets. The standout performer in that victory was Dillon Mitchell.
The Celtics selected Mitchell with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, following stints at Texas and Cincinnati after his time at St. John’s. A top-five recruit in the Class of 2022, Mitchell never fully realized his potential during college. In the NBA, he appeared capable of impacting games in multiple ways, though his scoring was a key question mark. During his final season with the Johnnies, he averaged 8.3 points per game and shot a mere 6.7 percent from three (this year, a notable contrast to that earlier mark).
At least for Sunday, Mitchell demonstrated both versatility and scoring ability, along with his shooting potential. His final line against Charlotte read: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists (with 2 turnovers), 6 steals, 2 blocks, 10-20 from the field, 2-5 from three, and 1-3 at the free-throw line. Remarkably, seven of his eight rebounds were offensive boards, underscoring the hustle and energy that the Celtics believed would translate to NBA-level impact.
Beyond the defensive stats, Mitchell’s rebounding and relentless effort on the glass were the facets of his game that gave the Celtics confidence. A 2-for-5 night from beyond the arc is a substantial improvement over what he showed at St. John’s, and while one game is far from a definitive fix for his shooting, it does indicate a willingness to work on his jumper and pursue improvement—a critical part of the developmental journey.
This performance represents a highly encouraging night for Mitchell. Additional Celtics updates are forthcoming, including the TD Garden fan guide and the complete franchise history as it relates to current considerations.