Former Providence College star Ben Bentil’s longshot bid to make the Celtics ended Friday morning.
The second-round pick was informed that he would be released prior to practice. Celtics president Danny Ainge said at the start of the workout that it is unlikely he will join the franchise’s Developmental League team in Portland, Maine.
“I think that Ben will look for other opportunities,” Ainge said. “We’re just so loaded at that position with Jaylen (Brown), and Jae Crowder, and Kelly Olynyk, and Al Horford — we have a lot of guys who play (the power forward) position.
“I think he might want to look for somewhere that might have more of an opportunity for him.”
Bentil was Boston’s final selection this past June on a draft night the Celtics entered with way more picks than roster spots available. They went Brown No. 3 overall, then French forward Geurschon Yabusele and Croatian center Ante Zizic at Nos. 16 and 23, respectively, before convincing both to spend at least one more year playing overseas. Ainge then traded the team’s first two picks of the second round before going with Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson and Bentil with the final two picks.
While the team gave Jackson a guaranteed contract out of the two summer leagues, Bentil was offered a partial guarantee, and entered training camp as the 17th man trying to make a 15-man roster.
Boston’s roster stands at 16 with Ainge confirming on Friday the final spot will probably come down to R.J. Hunter or James Young.
“Ben is a really good player,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “He worked really hard for us. He improved quite a bit — especially on the defensive stuff with what we asked him to do.
“He’s a tough guy. He has an NBA body. I think, ultimately, he will be an NBA player. This situation was just not ideal and that’s part of having all these number of draft picks.”
Bentil played in only three of seven preseason games – averaging 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting just 35.7 percent from the floor and missing all six of his 3-pointers. His biggest run came in Wednesday’s exhibition finale when he scored eight points with six rebounds in 15 minutes of second half action.
“Ben was great for us,” Ainge said. “He had great enthusiasm from the day he showed up here. He had a great attitude.
“We love Ben. We are rooting hard for him to find success. I think he will because he’s got a great attitude and great energy. His skills, I think, will get him there.”
“It’s unfortunate because we really liked having him around,” Stevens added. “Certainly, it was a tough call, and a tough day for us to have to part ways.”
Courtesy: Providencejournal.com
