BOSTON -- The dream of suiting up in an NBA game is one Tremont Waters has held on to for years.
But the circumstances that might lead to that becoming a reality are less than ideal.
The Boston Celtics have called up Tremont Waters from their G-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, to provide added depth following Kemba Walker’s neck strain injury suffered at Denver on Friday.
Even though Waters has been a standout in leading the Red Claws (5-0) to their best start in franchise history, he wouldn’t be getting this call-up if not for Walker’s injury.
And that makes it a bittersweet time for Waters, drafted by the Celtics with the 51st overall pick in last June’s NBA draft.
“It’s a business but I care about Kemba as a person,” Waters told NBC Sports Boston.
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Before Walker's injury, Waters would often watch the Celtics play and focus specifically on Walker's game, looking for bits and pieces he could add to his game.
And Walker has repeatedly praised Waters as a young player who, when his opportunity comes to shine, will make the most of it because of his talent, hard work and willingness to learn.
The two have a connection that's beyond your standard veteran-rookie relationship.
Waters indicated as much in a text he sent to Walker shortly after the injury.
“Forget basketball, I’m praying for your overall health,” Waters recalled mentioning in his text to Walker.
That said, Waters is well aware of the potential opportunity that his being called up presents.
While there’s no guarantee that he will play on Monday against the Sacramento Kings, the call-up follows the upward trajectory of Waters’ basketball career.
“It’s taking baby steps, doing what I do,” Waters said. “Just playing basketball, getting better each day and making sure when I do get my time, I’m able to perform.”
He certainly has made the most of his time with the Red Claws this season.
While 7-foot-7 Tacko Fall draws much of the attention and adulation surrounding the Red Claws, Waters more than any other player has been the driving force behind the team getting off to the best start in franchise history.
In five games, Waters is averaging 20.8 points and 7.8 assists per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.
Waters has shown the ability in the G-League to not only put up decent numbers, but do so in a way that meshes with the ultimate goal which is winning games.
“I pretty much do everything, video games, sports, life … you want to win at everything you do,” Waters said. “Just to be able to take it one day at a time, but one game at a time, is my biggest focus. Being down there (in the G-League), we’re all trying to get better and move on to the next level and that’s the NBA, and be solidified in the NBA. We’re all competitive and we want to win, in Maine, Boston, doesn’t matter. We just want to do our part to win, that’s all.”
Don’t miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Kings, which tips off Monday at 7 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Live, then Mike & Tommy have the call of the game at 7:30 p.m. You can also stream the game through the MyTeams App.