The addition of yet another terrifying superstar to bolster Joe Mazzulla’s team has been formally announced.

The addition of yet another terrifying superstar to bolster Joe Mazzulla’s team has been formally announced.

Jay Scrubb did not take a straight path to the NBA. NCAA basketball didn’t exist. Not one pick for the McDonald’s All-American team. There were no high school rankings to make him a household name. Scrubb possessed only a dream and an unquenchable work ethic.

There aren’t many players on the list who went from JUCO to the NBA. The majority of players on that list utilized their JUCO experience to secure a spot on a Division I team’s roster, which only served to complicate matters. Not Scrubb. Rather, the free-flowing guard persisted in believing that an NBA team would notice him based on his work ethic and the product he was putting on the court.

Scrubb’s diligence paid off in 2020. The JUCO player of the year was chosen by the LA Clippers with the 55th pick after he declared for the NBA Draft.

In a recent interview, Scrubb told me, “Hearing my name called was a blessing.” “Hey, man, it felt better to hear my name called even though COVID prevented me from walking across the stage. And, naturally, shutting up the naysayers. Everyone who predicted that I wouldn’t survive until then. It goes even further back [to my high school and middle school years] and such; man, that was the most thrilling thing I could do to shut up everyone who was criticizing and doubting me. That was an odd moment for me and my family alone, considering everything we have been through.

As a free agent entering his fourth NBA season, Scrubb took part in Summer League in an attempt to locate a new team. Following a string of outstanding performances for the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens gave Scrubb a two-way contract extension.

He now hopes to emulate Sam Hauser by playing for the big club and possibly breaking into Boston’s rotation the following year.

That’s exactly the mindset that’s entering and acting in the same manner as Sam. Being the player the team needs, someone who can guard and act as a glue piece, and someone who can come in and be the knockdown shooter. It’s kind of the same attitude, just joining the team and adding that extra bit of support. That is the primary concern.

It will be difficult for Scrubb to get into Boston’s backcourt lineup. The Celtics still have Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard playing most of the minutes even with Marcus Smart’s departure. But Scrubb shines when it comes to scoring, which is a must under head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Scrubb demonstrated his versatility as a scorer during Summer League. Flashes as a ball handler came out of the pick-and-roll.