Boston Celtics

"Mitchell is an awesome defender and can make a strong impact on that end in the NBA."

A day after the Celtics added an intriguing big man in Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boston added a potential defensive stopper in the second round.

​With the 40th pick in the draft, the Celtics selected St. John’s wing Dillon Mitchell.

​The 6-foot-7 wing has bounced around the collegiate ranks, spending his first two seasons at Texas, transferring to Cincinnati for his junior year, and then closing out his career with the Red Storm.

While playing for Rick Pitino this past year, Mitchell averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 28.1 minutes per game — earning All-Big East Third Team and All Defensive Team honors at St. John’s.

Former Celtics great Isaiah Thomas — who recently rejoined Boston as a college and pro scout — officially called in the second-round selection to the NBA during Wednesday’s draft proceedings.

Mitchell is an athletic defender who can guard multiple positions, though his offensive ceiling is somewhat limited by his shooting woes. In total, he sank just one of his 15 attempts from 3-point range last season — and has only converted on 48 percent of his free-throw attempts in his college career.

“Mitchell is an awesome defender and can make a strong impact on that end in the NBA. I love how hard he plays,” The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said of Mitchell. “His motor doesn’t quit.

“He rebounds well for his position and tries to sprint out in transition to create early offense. … Mitchell won’t be for everyone. There are some roster situations where he won’t work, but there are some situational spots where he might find a role. The defense is that valuable, and he moves the ball incredibly well.”