Jordan Walsh Brings Celtics Spirit - and Pop-a-Shot Swagger - to Roxbury Boys & Girls Club
ROXBURY - On a chilly Tuesday night in February, Jordan Walsh wasn’t just representing the Celtics - he was embodying everything the franchise stands for, both on and off the court. Inside the Yawkey Club of Roxbury, Walsh turned a community event into a full-blown competition, putting on a Pop-a-Shot clinic that had kids lining up for their shot at dethroning the Celtics forward.
Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
The event marked the unveiling of a newly renovated social recreation room at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, a project brought to life through the Celtics’ CommUNITY Crew initiative, presented by TD. The space is more than just a place to hang out - it’s designed as a flexible learning hub where kids and families can access financial literacy tools, prep for the workforce, and engage in meaningful community programming. But on this night, it was also the site of a heated Pop-a-Shot battle royale - and Walsh was the man to beat.
Except, well, no one could.
“I’m super competitive,” Walsh admitted with a grin. “Kash [Cannon] always wants me to let people win so they can get prizes, but I’m not that type of person. I try to compete at everything.”
That competitiveness was on full display as he rattled off shot after shot, refusing to take it easy on his challengers - even the youngest ones. Celtics Director of Community Engagement, Kash Cannon, watched as Walsh dominated the leaderboard, until he finally started shooting on the wrong hoop.
Whether that was a slip-up or a subtle way of letting someone else have a moment, we’ll let you decide. Either way, his reign ended on his own terms.
And the Pop-a-Shot wasn’t the only game on the floor. Walsh also jumped into a one-on-one mini-pool showdown with a particularly determined club member. It ended with Walsh sinking the eight ball - but not before he let one game slip away.
“Yeah, I sold a game,” he said, shaking his head. “I gave it up, bro. I gave it up.”
Still, the night wasn’t about wins and losses. It was about connection - about showing up, being present, and giving back. For Walsh, who didn’t grow up with access to spaces like this, the moment carried weight.
“I think it's cool,” he said. “I didn’t have it.
So, I feel like I can give back and give an experience that I didn’t have, that I thought could have helped. I think that’s key to moving things forward.”
That perspective - one rooted in humility and gratitude - is part of what makes Walsh such a compelling figure in Boston. He’s not just a young player finding his footing in the league. He’s someone who understands the platform he holds and the impact he can make beyond the hardwood.
And for the kids at the Yawkey Club, meeting an NBA player wasn’t just exciting - it was unforgettable.
“It’s still kind of crazy,” Walsh said. “It’s weird because we’re all kind of the same people, but because I play in the NBA, they’re more excited about it, which is cool, obviously.
But it’s still always weird to me. I was doing the same stuff y’all were, but now I’m older, and I’m playing, so the perspective is different.”
Walsh is now in his third NBA season, and it’s clear he’s grown - not just as a player, but as a leader. After winning a title in his rookie year and seeing his role expand last season, he’s now logging more minutes than ever. Despite injuries and offseason roster changes, Boston remains near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, and Walsh has been a big part of that success.
The same grit and team-first mentality that define his game were on display in Roxbury. Whether he’s locking down a top scorer or going all-out in a game of Pop-a-Shot, Walsh brings the same energy - competitive, focused, and full of heart.
“Boston’s a city that really loves their sports,” he said. “Really loves to compete and to win, of course. And so, it’s the same values that I kind of try to carry with me, whether it’s playing Pop-a-Shot with kids, or guarding the best player on defense.”
Before heading out, Walsh posed for a group photo and left his signature on the wall - a small gesture, but one that will stick with the kids who were there. It wasn’t just an autograph. It was a symbol of a night when a Celtic came to their neighborhood, played their games, shared their laughs, and reminded them that greatness can walk right through their doors.
Jordan Walsh left the building as the Pop-a-Shot champ and a pool table runner-up. But more importantly, he left as a role model - a reminder of what it means to wear the Celtics green, and what it means to give back to the city that lives and breathes basketball.