# Boston Celtics Drafted Every Tennessee Player Since 1948
The Boston Celtics have built their team in a number of ways over the decades, but few if any methods have born more fruit than through the NBA draft. The best players to suit up for the Celtics have, by and large, come to Boston either through being taken directly in the annual event, or via trades made that night. And it is not just the top stars who have been picked up by the Celtics via the draft. Countless members of the storied ball club's alumni have been taken by the team via that annual event, and some schools are better represented than others.
What happened?
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Tennessee. The most recent loss for the Celtics was a 100-109 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on May 2, 2026. Recent form (last 5): 0W-0D-5L (LLLLL, most recent first); lost the last 5.
Why it matters for Boston Celtics
We can see blue blood programs and some very small schools both delivering top talent to Boston's rosters over the years, so we decided to take a look at which players came from which schools overall. The Celtics have drafted players from Tennessee since 1948, including Grant Williams and Julian Phillips.
What comes next?
So let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Celtics out of Tennessee. Marshall Hawkins, a forward, was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1948 BAA Draft. He played one season at Tennessee and did not make the team. Bobby Croft, a center, was drafted in the 8th round (4th pick, 123rd overall) of the 1970 NBA Draft. He played three seasons at Tennessee and did not make the team.
Steve Hamer, a center, was drafted in the 2nd round (9th pick, 38th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. He played one season at Tennessee and four seasons with the Celtics. Grant Williams, a forward, was drafted in the 1st round (22nd pick, 22nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft. He played three seasons at Tennessee and four seasons with the Celtics. Julian Phillips, a forward, was drafted in the 2nd round (5th pick, 35th overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft. He played at Tennessee and has played with the Celtics.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference. Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp, iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47, YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
