Charles Bassey, the 6-foot-11 Nigerian-born center who once captured the imagination of NBA scouts with his brute strength, rim protection, and natural athleticism, has officially shut down rumors that he’s heading overseas to continue his professional basketball career. Despite some speculation that Bassey might be weighing offers from international clubs in Europe or Asia, the former Western Kentucky standout has made it abundantly clear that his goal is still rooted in the NBA. And, in a surprising twist, Bassey reportedly has his eyes set on a specific destination: the Boston Celtics.
For Bassey, this isn’t just about clinging to an NBA dream — it’s about chasing the right opportunity, the right fit, and what he sees as an ideal environment for a career resurgence. After several seasons plagued by injuries, inconsistent roles, and shifting depth charts, Bassey believes he still has what it takes to be a difference-maker in the league. And with the Celtics undergoing a frontcourt reshuffle after moving on from key veterans like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, Bassey sees a chance — however slim it may be — to insert himself into Boston’s plans heading into the 2025–26 season.
His confidence isn’t unfounded. When healthy, Bassey has demonstrated glimpses of being a valuable rotation piece. During his time with the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers, he showed flashes of elite rebounding instincts, a soft touch around the rim, and an understanding of defensive positioning well beyond his years. The issue, as it often is with young big men, has been availability and consistency. But that hasn’t shaken his resolve.
Sources close to Bassey say he’s been training relentlessly in Miami over the summer, focusing on mobility, agility, and sharpening his mid-range game. He’s reportedly slimmed down slightly to improve foot speed while also building more core strength to help sustain the physical demands of the league. According to those in his camp, Bassey is in the best shape of his career and is actively seeking a camp invite or minimum deal to prove himself in the right system.
That system, he hopes, is Boston’s.
The Celtics are entering the 2025–26 season with a new blend of youth and urgency. After coming up short in the playoffs yet again, the team has begun a retooling phase that prioritizes defensive identity, cost-controlled contracts, and high-effort role players to complement franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum. With the salary cap bloated by max deals and tax penalties looming, Boston is turning to young veterans and reclamation projects as they try to fill out the roster while maintaining flexibility.
Enter Bassey.
The Celtics’ current big man rotation includes Walker Kessler, Neemias Queta, and second-year player JD Jackson. While all three bring unique skill sets, none have the exact combination of Bassey’s strength, defensive instincts, and NBA seasoning. In a league that still values verticality at the rim and second-chance points, a healthy and locked-in Charles Bassey could offer something none of Boston’s young bigs currently possess: a physical enforcer with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove.
And if there’s one thing Boston fans love, it’s a gritty redemption story.
Bassey’s desire to wear green isn’t just a career move — it’s personal. He’s long admired the Celtics’ culture of accountability and defensive toughness. Those who know him say he models his approach to the game after Celtics greats like Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, both of whom used energy, passion, and brute force to leave a lasting legacy in Boston. While Bassey doesn’t possess Garnett’s offensive arsenal or Perkins’ championship experience, his willingness to do the dirty work aligns well with Boston’s recent blueprint of building around hustle-first players who fit their scheme.
The Celtics themselves have not publicly commented on any interest in Bassey, but team insiders say Boston’s front office is actively exploring low-cost frontcourt additions following the departure of key veterans. With Kristaps Porziņģis traded and Al Horford expected to retire or play a reduced role, the Celtics will need bodies capable of anchoring the paint without demanding high usage. Bassey, on a veteran minimum or Exhibit 10 deal, could very well be worth a look in training camp — especially if he proves his mobility and motor are back to full capacity.
There’s also a business case for giving Bassey a shot. The Celtics, like many contending teams, are looking for players who can produce above their salary slot. In a league where backup bigs often command \$7–10 million a year, finding a minimum-contract player who can rebound, defend, and play within a system is invaluable. Bassey’s per-36 numbers, when extrapolated, have always hinted at impact-level production. In San Antonio, despite limited minutes, he averaged nearly 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 10 points per 36 minutes. That kind of upside — even if only realized in spurts — is difficult to ignore.
Still, the path won’t be easy. The Celtics are not the only team looking at low-risk, high-reward bigs. And Bassey, despite his raw tools, is still fighting the reputation of being injury-prone and slightly behind in offensive development. His ability to earn a deal could come down to how well he performs in private workouts and whether he’s able to show lateral movement, rim-running endurance, and improved decision-making under pressure.
But Bassey is used to fighting uphill battles.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Bassey’s path to the NBA was anything but conventional. He moved to the United States as a teenager after being discovered at a basketball camp, immediately turning heads with his size and athleticism. He quickly rose up the ranks of high school basketball, even earning national player of the year honors in Texas before committing to Western Kentucky. His college career was productive but turbulent, with injuries limiting his exposure during key draft years. Despite that, he declared for the 2021 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Since then, his journey has been filled with flashes of promise and moments of frustration. Injuries, G-League stints, and short-term deals have kept him from finding a stable home. But through it all, those close to him say his passion for the game and commitment to personal growth have never wavered.
Now, with the overseas route off the table and the clock ticking on his prime years, Bassey is hoping for one last shot — and he’s putting his chips on Boston.
Whether the Celtics will take that gamble remains to be seen. Training camps begin in a few weeks, and Boston is expected to bring in several players for evaluation. If Bassey gets that call, his performance in those early weeks could determine whether he finally finds a permanent home in the NBA. And if he does, it will be the kind of full-circle moment that only basketball can provide — a former top prospect, written off by many, finally finding his place on one of the most storied franchises in sports history.
Until then, Bassey continues to grind, believing firmly that his best basketball is still ahead of him. And if the opportunity comes from Boston, he’s ready to make the most of it — not just to prove the doubters wrong, but to show the league what it missed.
