Celtics Secure Versatile Talent
Celtics Add Defensive Prowess with Mitchell, High-Upside Cenac Jr. in 2026 NBA Draft
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Key Points
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Mitchell is a high-profile recruit, a 5-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American who started his college career at Texas, spent a year at Cincinnati, and finished at St. John's, underscoring a strong recruiting pedigree.
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He can defend at least four positions and even ran the offense as a point guard late in the season for St. John's, illustrating positional versatility beyond traditional forward duties.
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In his St. John's season he averaged 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game (in addition to his 8.3 points and 7.0 rebounds), highlighting his all-around contributions.
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Mitchell is listed at 6-foot-8 and about 205 pounds, described as a strong finisher and lob threat with a jump shot that is still a work in progress.
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St. John's had multiple players drafted that night, including Mitchell and Zuby Ejiofor, marking the program's most notable draft representation in years; there was even discussion that Bryce Hopkins could push the program to three draftees if he was selected later.
The Boston Celtics selected Dillon Mitchell with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding a 6-foot-8 forward from St. John's who averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last season. Boston Sports Journal reported the pick Wednesday night, capping a breakout year for the 22-year-old.
Mitchell's selection also made history at St. John's. He and center Zuby Ejiofor — drafted 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks — became the first Red Storm teammates drafted in the same year in the modern era, NY Post noted. The Denver Nuggets later took St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins at No. 49, giving the program three draftees in one night.
A Three-School Journey That Ended in a Draft Pick
Mitchell's road to the NBA was anything but straight. He was a 5-star recruit and McDonald's All-American out of high school in 2022. He started at Texas, transferred to Cincinnati, then landed at St. John's for his senior year. That final stop made all the difference.
Under coach Rick Pitino, Mitchell transformed into what Hardwood Houdini called a "do-it-all wing." He shot 55.9% from the floor and 83.2% from the free-throw line — a massive jump from his career average of 48.8% at the line. "The year I had at St. John's really helped getting my name back out there," Mitchell said on draft night, per Newsday. "Against Duke in the Sweet 16, everybody's watching those games."
Mitchell's Defense and Versatility Drew Boston's Eye
The Celtics were drawn to Mitchell's ability to guard multiple positions. He can defend four positions and even ran point guard duties late in the season for St. John's, Boston Sports Journal reported. He measured 6'7.75" without shoes and carries a 6'10.5" wingspan, per NBADraft.net.
CBS Sports graded the pick a "B," calling Mitchell a "high-floor second-round pick" with a "unique overlap of tools" as a passer and defender. The catch, they noted, is his three-point shooting — just 6.7% last season. Analysts have compared his high-energy, rebounding-focused style to Knicks guard Josh Hart.
Celtics Draft Mitchell Amid Jaylen Brown Trade Uncertainty
Mitchell arrives at a turbulent moment in Boston. The Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo on draft night, ending the Celtics' reported pursuit. Reports say Jaylen Brown — set to earn $57.1 million in 2026-27 — is "frustrated" after being offered in those trade talks, per Heavy Sports.
That roster flux makes Mitchell's cheap second-round contract valuable. If Brown is moved, Mitchell could step into immediate rotational minutes as a defensive specialist. Even if Brown stays, 98.5 The Sports Hub reported that Boston's front office is building a defensive identity to counter the Eastern Conference's big-wing era — with Mitchell and first-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. at the center of that plan.
St. John's Program Celebrates Its Best Draft Night in Decades
Rick Pitino's rebuild at St. John's reached a new milestone Wednesday. Three players drafted in one night is something the program hasn't seen in decades. Pitino, currently in Greece, praised his players' development. "It's incredibly rare that you get a person like this," he said of Ejiofor, per Newsday.
The ripple effects are already showing in recruiting. Boston Globe noted that St. John's has already landed a top-5 transfer for 2026-27, with Mitchell and Ejiofor's draft success cited as a key selling point. For a program that had gone without a draft pick since 2000 before this week, the message to future recruits is clear: St. John's is once again an NBA pipeline.
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