Celtics sign former Wizards center Daniel Ochefu
The Boston Celtics have signed former Washington Wizards center Daniel Ochefu.
The signing fills the Celtics' final open roster spot. Ochefu was an undrafted free agent that the Wizards brought to training camp last season. He earned a roster spot and played sparingly in 19 games before getting five minutes of playing time in the playoffs during blowouts.
Ironically enough, Ochefu's first career basket came against the Celtics. He scored four of his 24 points against the Celtics.
The Wizards waived the 23-year-old forward earlier this week. According to Bullets Forever, the team needed to clear a roster spot after an injury to Sheldon Mac and Ochefu's low guarantee made him the easier cut.
The 6-foot-11 center made a name for himself as the center on Villanova's 2015-16 National Championship squad. During his four years with the Wildcats, he earned a reputation as a strong rebounder and screen-setter, playing the role of the only true big man much of the time.
Ochefu is unlikely to get much run with the Celtics this season. He'll be able to get on the court for his ability to set a strong screen, but he's likely near the bottom of the roster.
He was beloved in the Villanova locker room and could be a solid presence for the Celtics as well, even if he isn't getting into games. You can never have too many glue guys and Ochefu, despite his lack of experience, could be just that.
And he can make some nice plays while continuing to be a nice guy, as this video from NBC Sports Washington displays.
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
Follow Steven on Twitter: @StevenTydings
The signing fills the Celtics' final open roster spot. Ochefu was an undrafted free agent that the Wizards brought to training camp last season. He earned a roster spot and played sparingly in 19 games before getting five minutes of playing time in the playoffs during blowouts.
Ironically enough, Ochefu's first career basket came against the Celtics. He scored four of his 24 points against the Celtics.
The #Celtics have signed center Daniel Ochefu. The 6-11 center played in 19 games with the Wizards as a rookie last season.— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 13, 2017
The Wizards waived the 23-year-old forward earlier this week. According to Bullets Forever, the team needed to clear a roster spot after an injury to Sheldon Mac and Ochefu's low guarantee made him the easier cut.
The 6-foot-11 center made a name for himself as the center on Villanova's 2015-16 National Championship squad. During his four years with the Wildcats, he earned a reputation as a strong rebounder and screen-setter, playing the role of the only true big man much of the time.
Ochefu is unlikely to get much run with the Celtics this season. He'll be able to get on the court for his ability to set a strong screen, but he's likely near the bottom of the roster.
He was beloved in the Villanova locker room and could be a solid presence for the Celtics as well, even if he isn't getting into games. You can never have too many glue guys and Ochefu, despite his lack of experience, could be just that.
And he can make some nice plays while continuing to be a nice guy, as this video from NBC Sports Washington displays.
Daniel Ochefu is so nice he helped up the photographer after blocking a shot and falling into the stands. #WizCavs pic.twitter.com/j0IQOXjLrT— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) October 8, 2017
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
Follow Steven on Twitter: @StevenTydings