Kyle Mangas is one of the more interesting names on the Boston Celtics’ Summer League roster, even if he’s a long shot to stick.
The Celtics announced their Summer League group on Wednesday, and Mangas is the kind of player plenty of fans probably had to look up. He’s also the oldest player on the roster, having already turned 27.
What makes him stand out isn’t just the age or the fact that he’s been around the block. Mangas is a 6-foot-4 guard with a real shooting track record. Last season with the Austin Spurs in the G League, he knocked down 41.1% of his 3-pointers while averaging 18.5 points per game.
That outside shot is the calling card. If Mangas is going to break through and land an NBA spot, it’s going to come through the perimeter game.
His path to this point is the part that makes him such a compelling Summer League story. Mangas didn’t come through a Division I program, and he never played in the NCAA. Instead, he starred at NAIA school Indiana Wesleyan, where he put up 29.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a senior.
From there, the road got even longer. He went to Czechia, then Lithuania, before eventually getting his shot in the G League.
Mangas has already spent Summer League time with the Lakers and Spurs, but he still hasn’t played in the NBA. He’s still trying to force his way through the door.
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