When the Boston Celtics selected Max Shulga with the final pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, fans knew they were getting a project. What they might not have expected was just how quickly that project would start paying dividends.

The Ukrainian guard spent most of his rookie season with the Maine Celtics, Boston's G League affiliate, where he worked under head coach Phil Pressey—himself a former Celtics point guard. And according to Pressey, the growth has been nothing short of impressive.

"Max is a player who played both positions, point guard and shooting guard in college," Pressey said in a recent interview. "When he was with us, he was our primary point guard. I wish he could have stayed with us the whole year so I could have developed him even more."

But Shulga's development isn't just about staying in one place. The two-way contract means he's been shuttling between Boston and Portland, a challenge that many young players struggle with. Pressey sees it as part of the process.

"However, Boston needed him, so he had to jump back and forth. But he's on his way, right?"

One area where Shulga has made noticeable strides is his shooting. Pressey credits the work of his assistant coaches for helping refine what was already a solid foundation.

"He was an okay shooter coming in, but I feel like he's gained some confidence with the work and the reps that he's put in," Pressey explained. "He just has to, of course, score the basketball. That's what he does at a high level."

But for a player trying to carve out a role in the NBA, scoring alone isn't enough. Pressey pointed to the example set by another two-way player, Ron Harper Jr., as a blueprint for Shulga's next steps.

"I think defensively he can get better. I think rebounding can get better. In the NBA, especially the guys who are two ways, who are trying to make it, what are you going to do if you're not scoring the basketball? Ron, when he's not scoring the basketball, he's shown that he can defend, he's shown that he can rebound."

For Shulga, the message is clear: keep working, keep improving, and find ways to contribute even when the shots aren't falling. It's a lesson that applies just as much on the court as it does in the gym—and one that could determine whether his NBA journey is just beginning or just getting started.