Celtics select J.R. Giddens

With the 30th pick in the first round the 2008 NBA draft, the Celtics selected 6-foot 5-inch, 205-pound guard J.R. Giddens, a senior from New Mexico. The 2008 Mountain West conference co-player of the year averaged just over 16 points per game with just under nine rebounds last season.

Giddens stats:

(2008 by STATS LLC)

Here's a bit more on Giddens from this February 2007 article that appeared in The Albuquerque Tribune: 'Lobo J.R. Giddens seeks to rise above the labels'

Layered in the multicolored personality of J.R. Giddens lies a Steve Urkel.

It started as an 8-year-old out of Oklahoma City, when Giddens masqueraded as the suspender-wearing, buck-toothed TV goof for Halloween or around the house.

Mister Rogers was another favorite of the young Giddens.

"He had on Air Jordans with a Mister Rogers outfit for an elementary school performance," said Charles Giddens, J.R.'s father. "It was so funny. He had the best show in the class. He always knew how to be a fun kid."

Being a "fun kid" has never been the problem for Giddens. The real challenge is trying to define someone who refuses to be defined.

Giddens, a University of New Mexico guard, is both fun-loving and somber. He's a goofy Steve Urkel or a high-flying Steve Francis.

He's flexing muscles to The Pit crowd or running out of The Pit's backdoor refusing interview requests.

He'll shoot 3-of-13 or 10-of-13.