Celtics rookie Waters ready to learn from Walker

He was a youngster living in New Haven when the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team went on a surprising run in 2011.

Tremont Waters watched closely as the Huskies, with guard Kemba Walker leading the way, won five straight games to take the Big East championship and earned six more victories for the NCAA title.

Eight years later, Waters is part of the same franchise as Walker as a member of the Celtics.

Walker recently signed a four-year, $141-million [...]

He was a youngster living in New Haven when the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team went on a surprising run in 2011.

Tremont Waters watched closely as the Huskies, with guard Kemba Walker leading the way, won five straight games to take the Big East championship and earned six more victories for the NCAA title.

Eight years later, Waters is part of the same franchise as Walker as a member of the Celtics.

Walker recently signed a four-year, $141-million contract after spending eight years with the Charlotte Hornets. Waters, who is also a point guard, was drafted in the second round by the Celtics last month.

Currently playing with the Celtics in the Las Vegas Summer League, Waters reportedly has agreed to a two-way contract that will mean he will spend a majority of the 2019-20 season with the Maine Red Claws of the G-League and up to 45 days with the NBA team.

The 21-year-old Waters, who was in junior high school when Walker and the Huskies won the national championship, met the new Celtics point guard at the Auerbach Center last week.

“I was able to talk to him,’’ Waters said before leaving for Las Vegas. “Actually, I have a picture of when he was at UConn. I was a fan. I’m not going to lie. I was definitely a fan.

“I was smiling from ear to ear, just knowing I’m able to learn from him now. Obviously, watching him while growing up, it’s a blessing and I’m all in and ready to learn.’’

The Celtics made Waters the 51st player chosen in the NBA Draft three weeks ago after he had played two seasons at LSU. The 5-foot-11-inch guard averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals in college.

He has been starting in the Celtics backcourt during the summer league, averaging 10.7 points, four assists and 2.3 steals, averaging 22 minutes a game. The Celtics (3-0) play their final game on Thursday night, taking on the Memphis Grizzlies (10:30 p.m., TV: NBC Sports Boston and ESPN2), before the Vegas tournament begins this weekend.

Waters’ size is one of the reasons he lasted until deep in the draft, but he is out to prove a point. He's wearing No. 51 as a reminder of where he was selected.

“Obviously, everyone feels as if they should be a first-round pick,’’ said Waters, who played at Notre Dame High in West Haven. “In my opinion, I truly feel that way. Just to know I was picked 51st it doesn’t make me hold a grudge or anything, but I’m definitely out here to prove a lot, like [former Celtics guard] Isaiah Thomas [the last pick in the draft].

“He was a small guard that came into the league and there were probably a lot of doubters in him. He just showed as long as he remains himself and plays basketball and has the heart he has, it’s going to take care of itself.’’

Waters made only 3 of 13 shots in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers but he has hit 9 of 20 in the past two games while setting up the offense with five assists each in victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.

“A lot of people have a knock on him that he’s smaller and maybe that’s why he didn’t get drafted higher,’’ said assistant coach Scott Morrison, who is running the team in Las Vegas. “But I’m a sucker for guys who can make good reads, make the right play depending on what the defense gives you, and that’s his specialty.

“At the end of the day, you get the ball in his hands, he’s going to find the guys that are open.’’

Waters showed leadership skills at the end of this past season when head coach Will Wade was suspended by the school, missing the final regular-season game and SEC and NCAA tournament games.

Assistant coach Tony Benford took over, but as the point guard, it was up to Waters to keep things running smoothly on the court.

“My personality is one of being a leader,’’ Waters said. “I had to keep everyone focused. For the most part, when we were playing basketball, they all looked to me even more than they did before because coach was going through a situation.

“I feel like it helped me become a much better person and a much better point guard and basketball player.’’

As a two-way contract player, Waters would be getting the chance to work on his game in Maine while being on call if the Celtics need help in the backcourt.

He would be in training camp in September and October, and around the Celtics until the G-League begins, giving him a chance to pick up tips from Walker.

“He’s a very quick, explosive guard,’’ Waters said. “I’ve been studying him and his change of pace, change of direction, knowing when to come off screens and pull up, hesitation, drive down the lane, those type of reads are reads I have to look for and see.’’