National Basketball Association

Celtics get shot blocker, draft Mickey in 2nd round

Published Jun. 25, 2015 11:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics have drafted shot-blocking forward Jordan Mickey of Louisiana State in the second round of the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-7 Mickey led the nation with 3.64 blocks per game last season while averaging 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Interior defense was a major problem for the Celtics last season when they finished with a 40-42 record but were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.

Mickey was taken with the 33rd overall pick after two seasons at LSU. He is the second player in school history, following Shaquille O'Neal, to block at least 100 shots in a season. He blocked 106 as a freshman and 113 as a sophomore last season.

In the first round, the Celtics drafted guards Terry Rozier of Louisville and R.J. Hunter of Georgia State. They also had another second-round pick, the 45th overall.