Scheierman hoop dreams

Green jerseys have started to dot the Aurora elementary school hallways instead of classic red. 
You can thank Baylor Scheierman for that. 
Aurora’s hometown hero has dove in headfirst with his professional basketball career after being the 30th pick of the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics during the draft in June. 
What an opportunity. A roster spot on one of the most decorated professional basketball teams and a chance to keep playing the game he loves.
While Baylor has suited up for the Celtics and scored his first NBA points on Oct. 24 with a transition layup, it’s been an interesting start to his professional career.
Baylor has bounced back and forth between the Celtics bench and playing with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G-League affiliate. 
It’s interesting when you think about it. Had Baylor gone to a different NBA team, he could very well be playing meaningful minutes on that team.
Instead, he joined the defending champions who are already well set up for success, making it tougher to crack the rotation. 
This is definitely the better situation and Baylor sees it that way, too. 
When asked by local reporters about it a few weeks ago, Baylor didn’t call the move to Maine as any sort of setback. In typical Baylor fashion, he saw it as the perfect opportunity to play ball and get better.
“It’s all just about enjoying it,” Baylor told local reporters. “I don’t look at it as a demotion. It’s not a demotion. It’s an opportunity to play, and get live reps, and get better at your game so that when your number is called in Boston, you’re ready to go.”
Any boy, has he ever done that. In just his first four G-League games, Baylor was averaging 23 points while shooting above 50 percent and over 45 percent of his three-pointers while pulling down nine boards on average. 
Above all of that, the immersion factor is what surprised me the most. When Baylor suited up for the Maine Celtics, he wasn’t in the starting lineup. No, they had him coming off the bench. 
But why? Throughout his entire basketball life until this point, Baylor can probably count on one hand the number of times he came off the bench. 
It’s genius, really. The Maine Celtics are bringing Baylor off the bench to simulate what it will be like once he gets his opportunity in Boston. 
Once you hear it that way, it makes perfect sense. It’s a big reason why the Celtics are as successful as they are. 
“We’re replicating a lot of the stuff that he’s gonna do in Boston, in terms of his pregame routine, and his rotations, and all that stuff that sort of gets you used to playing off the bench,” Maine Celtics coach Tyler Lashbrook reported. “He’s been a soldier for it.”
Baylor’s coaches, including Boston’s Joe Mazzulla, have been impressed with his shooting and rebounding, two things he’s become quite known for throughout his time in college. 
What those coaches probably like more than anything, though, is something we back in Aurora figured out a long time ago.
Baylor loves to compete.
Many of those on the Boston roster started and had success through the Maine program and hopefully, Baylor will be no different. 
The Celtics have a blueprint for success and are putting the former Husky through the ringer as you read this. In his first G-League game last month, Baylor scored 31 points. 
For those wondering, the photo on the front page of this sports preview edition was several months in the making. 
I had to corral both Baylor and his brother, Booker, to take the photo during Baylor’s most recent trip back home, which was around Labor Day. 
The only thing I asked of them before taking the photo was to act like brothers. What you see there is exactly what you get between those two.
Nobody likes watching Booker play sports more than Baylor, and the feeling is surely mutual. 
Watching Book this final time for the Huskies will be just as electric as he tries to get Aurora back to the state tournament. 
The Huskies haven’t played in the state tournament since Baylor’s senior season, which is kind of crazy to think about and really makes it seem like forever ago. 
I’ve never bet against a Scheierman and I’m not starting now. 
More recently, Baylor has been back on the Boston bench. Whether it’s Maine or Boston, you can’t help but grin knowing that one of our guys is out there, living the dream.
Keep going, kid!
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.