Blake Griffin and Payton Pritchard first met at a Los Angeles Clippers game when Pritchard was just 16 years old, before they became teammates on the Boston Celtics. Pritchard, who stands at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, stood out to Griffin with his work ethic, despite his smaller stature for an NBA player. Pritchard’s dedication to improving impressed Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who praised his work ethic.
After a successful college career at the University of Oregon, Pritchard was drafted by the Celtics in 2020. While his playing time fluctuated under different coaches, Pritchard has found his footing in the 2023-24 season, averaging 14.1 points per game. He signed a four-year, $30 million extension in 2023, solidifying his place on the team.
Teammate Griffin commended Pritchard for his mental toughness and work ethic, despite facing challenges in his rookie season. Pritchard’s growth and contribution to the team have been evident this season as he continues to improve and carve out a role for himself on the Celtics roster.
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