Max Shulga: Joe Mazzulla Doesn’t Sugar Coat Anything | Celtics Draft Pick Interview

Max Shulga: Joe Mazzulla Doesn’t Sugar Coat Anything | Celtics Draft Pick Interview

How important is it to be involved in the community like this?
Very important. Um, you know, I learned it early with Utah State, VCU, my both schools. You know, we would do uh, you know, community work regularly. So, you know, I feel like feel like I already have an understanding. It’s really important to have the whole city behind you and give back to the city is um, you know, it’s is very important for any any franchise. Mike Xarren said that when you were here for your pregraft workout, you met up with Nimi, had dinner with him. What was it like to see him during the process and now to be teaming with him again? Yeah, it was it’s great. You know, I played with him uh my freshman year in college, Utah State. So, uh you know, it’s it’s honestly it’s unreal, you know, like it’s surreal to see like now we’re together on the team. It’s it’s crazy. Um but it was it was great to to meet up with him uh see him again and looking forward to, you know, playing together as well.
And from second round picks to undrafted free agents, the Celtics have a pretty strong track record with player development. Does that give you comfort and peace of mind as you try to take the next step in your career?
Yeah, of course. You know, Boston Celtics is is a like, you know, one of the best, if not the best franchise in in the league. So, um, you know, it does give me does give me comfort. Uh, knowing the, you know, the history, the history behind it, the history of, as you said, undrafted players, second round picks. You know, it’s just my job is to just go out there and do my best and and play hard and everything will play out. You were telling the kids out there that, you know, the next day after you get drafted, it’s like, you know, life goes on. How much does a moment like this though kind of just make it kind of hit you that you are drafted and you’re a Celtic?
Yeah. Um, it’s Yeah, it’s it’s still surreal, you know, like like I say, you know, like um still doesn’t hasn’t really settled in fully yet. A little weird still, but um you know, it takes it’s going to take a couple weeks. uh like it feels like when I walked in the facility, you know, it still it still felt a little bit like I’m going like around and doing workouts and stuff like that. So, um but yeah, um it’s it’s unbelievable feeling, you know, once in a lifetime uh opportunity and uh yeah, it’s great. You
you have a pretty unique journey going to school in Spain and just how you got to the NBA. Um how did you get into basketball and what was that journey like? Did you ever imagine like the NBA would actually be within UP? Uh, I got into basketball. My so my dad was a ref and you know he would go around Europe and stuff like that do like officiate games and so basketball would just always on on the TV. So I would just watch watch it every day all day long and you know kind of just fell in love with it ever since then. Started playing when I was maybe like seven eight years old something like that. So um yeah that’s kind of how it started. And then what was the second question? you know, did you imagine the NBA would be a possibility for you one day?
Oh, yeah. Uh, I I mean, I knew it was a possibility, but I didn’t know how like real it was. Uh, you know, I just always um, you know, just kept my head down and kept working and just um, you know, had a mentality of like whatever happens happens, you know, but I don’t want to regret like my effort in in the past and stuff like that. So, um, yeah, but now we’re here. So,
can tell you anything about what it’s like to be a Celtic and be a part of this this team? Um, yeah. I mean, he said it’s going to be it’s going to be hard, you know, as a rookie, especially, it’s going to be a transition period. Um, and just, you know, just try to learn as as much as I can from coaches, uh, you know, players on the team, vets. Um, you know, just be just be as sponge and learn learn about everything as much as I can.
You were one of like the final picks in the second round as well were kind of the emotions going into that and then, you know, kind of the relief that you were going into the draft
or just like the final few picks of the second.
Oh, the final few picks. Um, I didn’t really, it was like mixed emotion. I didn’t even know like couldn’t even tell what to feel for real. Like it was everything was moving so fast. You know, Nate, my agent, he was on on the phone. Um, you know, every every minute like walk walking away, coming back. So, it was kind of chaotic. But, um, yeah, but when when I when I got, you know, I got to know that the Celtics were going to pick me, um, you know, it was it was unbelievable u unreal feeling. Max, have you gotten a chance to talk to to Joe or have any of your new teammates reached out since you’ve been drafted?
Yeah. Uh, we just met with Joe in the morning after breakfast. So, had a had a good conversation with him. Um, you know, he kind of laid it laid it out like what it what it was going to be like, what it’s going to take and stuff like that. So, um, yeah, I spoke to him earlier in the morning.
Do you guys as rookies, you familiar with him? Do you see the video clips and just know about his coaching style? Like, how much did you know about him before you got here? Yeah, like you said, you see the clips on the internet. Uh, you know, you see that he’s very very straightforward straightforward guy. You know, says things how they are. Uh, doesn’t really sugarcoat anything. So, um, yeah, you know, I’m I’m excited excited to get going.
What was his message as far as what what it’s going to take?
Uh, yeah, he said it was going to be it’s going to be hard. You know, just the most important things is you have to play hard and and uh you know, play play for your teammates and just uh you know, yeah, those those are the most important things. Just have have passion for the game and just play like it means something to you.
Final question.
Your dad was a ref. Give you a different appreciation for what their refs are doing out there. You ever get mad at a ref and think like, oh, did they have a hard job or anything like that?
No, not really. Still still a player ref. Yeah. Yeah. It’s still that relationship for sure.

Celtics draft pick Max Shulga talked about meeting Joe Mazzulla and his new teammates for the first time and reuniting with former Utah State teammate Neemias Queta.

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