Draft looms large

The work of a team with three first-round draft picks is never done. With that in mind, the Celtics will bring in three players for workouts next week and a fourth for a physical. Boston will get a closer look at 7-foot-5-inch Russian center Pavel Podkolzine, 7-3 Puerto Rican center Peter John Ramos, and 6-9 Kris Humphries, a forward out of Minnesota. All are viable considerations for the Celtics' No. 15 selection in Thursday's NBA Draft. Boston will also pick at Nos. 24 and 25.

The most intriguing player arriving in town, however, may be 6-8, 200-pound forward Sergey Monya, an early entry candidate from Russia. Monya has not worked out for teams because Utah, which picks 14th, allegedly has committed to him. But Monya, 21, needs a physical and will receive one from the Celtics Monday, according to a source close to the team. This will give Boston executives an opportunity to meet with Monya face to face.

Monya has spent the past two seasons playing for CSKA Moscow, where he earned a reputation as an athletic player with solid fundamentals, a strong work ethic, accurate midrange jumpers, and an ability to make 3-pointers. But his most important assets may be his strong defensive play and quickness.

Fundamental move
Draft prospects are not the only people the Celtics want stopping by the team training center in Waltham. According to another source close to the Celtics, the team has been pursuing the services of Sacramento assistant Pete Carril. After a yearlong hiatus, Carril returned to the Kings bench last season, but his contract runs out June 30. Clearly, the Celtics would benefit from the experience and success that earned Carril a place in the Hall of Fame in 1997.

At Princeton, Carril became the winningest coach in Ivy League history during a career that included 13 conference titles and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances. Carril earned a reputation as an instructor of old-school, fundamentally sound basketball.