{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Here's how to vote...","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25_generic.png","credit":"","published":1606236654,"caption":"

After looking at the candidates for this year's "20 Under 25" rankings of the best professional athletes in Boston, make sure to go and VOTE and enter you rankings for each team.

VOTE HERE

Other teams:

"},{"title":"Jaylen Brown","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_brown_jaylen_0.png","credit":"","published":1605894737,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 5th | RATING: 88.0

Brown is more than just the Robin to Jayson Tatum's Batman.

The No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft took a major leap in his fourth year, averaging career highs -- 20.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 48.1 percent shooting -- across the board.

Brown already is one of the NBA's best two-way wings at age 24 and is being paid like it after landing a four-year extension last October worth up to $115 million.

Not bad for a guy who was booed on draft night.

"},{"title":"Carsen Edwards","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_edwards_carsen.png","credit":"","published":1605894786,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 12th | RATING: 79.8

The Celtics' No. 33 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Edwards lit up the NBA Summer League and the 2019 preseason with a steady barrage of 3-pointers.

Edwards took a backseat during the regular season, though, appearing in just 37 games for Boston while spending much of his time with the Maine Red Claws.

The 22-year-old Purdue product will need to have another strong preseason if he wants to carve out minutes in a Celtics backcourt that just added Jeff Teague.

"},{"title":"Romeo Langford","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_langford_romeo.png","credit":"","published":1605894878,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 17th | RATING: 78.4

The No. 14 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft had a disappointing rookie campaign for the Celtics, appearing in just 32 regular-season games and averaging 2.5 points in 11.6 minutes per contest.

The Indiana product also battled multiple injuries, including a wrist ailment that caused him to miss multiple playoff games and required surgery in late September.

The good news? Langford just turned 21 in October and if healthy could play more of a role in Boston’s offense this season with Gordon Hayward off to Charlotte.

"},{"title":"Aaron Nesmith","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_nesmith_aaron.png","credit":"","published":1605894911,"caption":"

Some experts labeled Nesmith the best shooter in the 2020 NBA Draft, and with good reason: The 21-year-old shot 52.2 percent from 3-point range through 14 games at Vanderbilt last season before a right foot injury cut his campaign short.

The Celtics need shooting off the bench, so if the No. 14 pick can get healthy and improve on the defensive end, he could make an immediate impact in his rookie season.

"},{"title":"Payton Pritchard","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_pritchard_payton.png","credit":"","published":1605895044,"caption":"

Pritchard's list of college accolades is lengthy: The Oregon product won Pac-12 Player of the Year and the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard in 2020.

Pritchard is old for a rookie at 22, but the No. 26 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft could add a spark to Boston's second unit as a strong perimeter shooter with a relentless motor.

"},{"title":"Jayson Tatum","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_tatum_jayson.png","credit":"","published":1605895063,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 1st | RATING: 93.4

Forget the future. Tatum is the Celtics’ present after a breakout 2019-20 campaign in which he finished 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.4 points per game) and earned an All-NBA Third Team nod.

The 22-year-old also was Boston's leading scorer in the postseason (25.7 points per game) and has proven through just three seasons he can be the No. 1 player on a championship team.

Tatum arguably is one of the league’s 10 best players and should be the face of this franchise for years to come after agreeing to a five-year, $195 million contract extension with the Celtics.

"},{"title":"Tremont Waters","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_waters_tremont.png","credit":"","published":1605895083,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: NR | RATING: 73.3

The Celtics may have found something with their final pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Waters was named the NBA G League Rookie of the Year last season and displayed a well-balanced game that could translate to the pros.

The 5-foot-9 point guard played in 11 games for the Celtics in 2019-20, but that number could increase this season if he takes another step forward in training camp.

"},{"title":"Grant Williams","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_williams_grant.png","credit":"","published":1605895216,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 14th | RATING: 79.0

Williams' Celtics tenure got off to a rough start: He missed his first 25 3-point attempts as a rookie last season and struggled while playing sporadic minutes.

Boston's No. 22 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft came into his own down the stretch, though, delivering quality rebounding and hustle plays during crunch time of playoff games.

Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis are ahead of him on the depth chart, but Williams could play a significant role in the Celtics' frontcourt this season.

"},{"title":"Robert Williams","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/20u25candidates_williams_robert.png","credit":"","published":1605895233,"caption":"

LAST YEAR: 13th | RATING: 79.3

Ahh, the enigma that is the Time Lord.

Williams' numbers in his second season leave plenty to be desired: 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 29 contests.

But those who watched the 23-year-old play last season saw a dynamic rim-runner and shot-blocker who dropped 11 points on the Toronto Raptors in 17 minutes of a playoff game.

If Williams can stay on the court, he could have a breakout third season in Boston.

"}]}

VOTE HERE

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20 Under 25 Candidates: Boston Celtics