Being a rookie in the NBA comes with growing pains. For Celtics rookie Semi Ojeleye, he’s fit in nicely with a team currently at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Semi with the strong finish through contact! pic.twitter.com/Hi0FB4spi6
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 16, 2017
Ojeleye was selected 37th overall, in the 2nd round of the 2017 NBA Draft. The Celtics saw something in the SMU star that intrigued them on the offensive side, but even more on the defensive side of the ball.
“His flexibility defensively is going to be enormous,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said during NBA summer league play. “I think that he will compete to be one of our better defenders right out the gate.”
Having played in 32 of their 33 games this season, Ojeleye is a player the Celtics believe can help them right now.
He’s only averaging 2.6 points, and 2.1 rebounds in just 15 minutes per game, but his coach Brad Stevens believes in the second round rookie’s talent as a defensive player and playing important minutes in key situations for the first place Celtics.
High praise from Brad Stevens on rookie Semi Ojeleye: “He can be elite defensively, if he isn’t already now.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 4, 2017
Ojeleye’s parents emigrated from Nigeria to Kansas where he starred at Ottawa High School. In 2013, he was named the Parade Magazine National High Schoool Player of the Year. He chose to attend Duke but played sparingly for two seasons. Looking for a larger role, he transferred to SMU, and in 2016–17 he led them to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) regular season and tournament championships. Ojeleye averaged 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and was named AAC Player of the Year.
Semi is also using his platform to share the good news of Jesus Christ on his social media pages. His Twitter page is a constant place of encouragement as he shares Bible verses on a daily and weekly basis.
And though you started with little, you will end with much Job 8:7 NLT
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) December 16, 2017
But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love Genesis 39:21
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) December 14, 2017
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me 2 Corinthians 12:9
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) December 9, 2017
Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you Isaiah 26:12 NLT
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) December 8, 2017
Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age Matthew 28:20
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) December 7, 2017
But the one who endures to the end will be saved Matthew 24:13
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) November 28, 2017
Semi’s Twitter page features the scripture Mark 11:22 in his bio, which simply reads from Jesus “Have faith in God.”
Semi and the Celtics are currently atop the Eastern Conference with a 26-7 record. They are coming off a thrilling last-second win over the Pacers on Monday night and return home to host the Heat on Wednesday night in Boston.
