The Boston Celtics, who have eight total picks in this year's NBA Draft including the third overall selection, went against popular belief that they would trade that pick and instead selected University of California, Berkeley forward Jaylen Brown, Thursday night. 

Though reports had the C's feverishly assessing trade options involving the third pick, Brown was on the short list, along with Providence College guard Kris Dunn, to be selected by the team, if they decided to keep the pick.

Brown, who declared for the draft after his freshman year, is considered a physical specimen with great athletic ability, though he is also viewed as far from a finished product skill wise.

He was named the Freshman of the Year in the Pac-12 along with being named to the conference's first-team.

According to the team's draft profile on Brown, he's know for his slashing ability and has both a high motor and high upside. He does, however, have a lot of work to do in terms of perimeter shooting and finishing plays off.

The 6-foot-5 forward has shown strong instincts and plays well on both sides of the ball, which show help him fit in with the team. Head coach Brad Stevens has been a stickler for playing both sides of the court, since coming from Butler University a few years ago.

Here's Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck's thoughts on the selection of Brown.

 

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