Heading into this year's draft, ESPN's Chad Ford rated Ben Bentil No. 29 on his big board and speculated that the Providence forward might go as high as 18th to Detroit. The Celtics likely never expected Bentil to be available when they selected him in the second round, 51st overall.
Via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Providence coach Ed Cooley had this to say about Bentil slipping:
Any time you end up getting drafted by the Boston Celtics, it’s worth the wait. . . . (But) I am surprised.