The Croatian big man Ante Zizic, whom the Celtics selected with the 23rd pick of the June draft, will finish this season with the Turkish club Darussafaka Dogus, which competes in the highly competitive Euroleague.
Zizic had been dominating the lower-level Adriatic League with KK Cibona, averaging 20 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 69.5 percent from the field, all league highs. In Turkey, he will be guided by David Blatt, the former Cavaliers head coach.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he exchanged text messages with Blatt about the 19-year-old Zizic on Tuesday.
“We’ve been following [Zizic] really close,’’ Stevens said. “He’s had a great year up to this point. He’s got a high motor. He’s a tough guy. We’re excited about him being a part of our future.’’
Darussafaka’s roster includes former Celtics Luke Harangody and Semih Erden, among other players with NBA experience. Stevens said he believes Blatt’s presence will only help the development of the 6-foot-11-inch Zizic.
“David’s a really good coach,’’ Stevens said. “I think, obviously, I don’t know what they are running or how they are guarding, I haven’t watched how they play, but David certainly has a great feel for the way that this league works and everything else.
“[Zizic will] be practicing against and playing against very good players who are older, more experienced, and more accomplished, and then David will help, obviously, in that development as well.’’
Icing on the week
Isaiah Thomas was taking his two young children ice skating in Boston Common on Monday when his father sent him a text message saying Thomas had been named the Eastern Conference player of the week.
“Then I looked on social media,’’ Thomas said, “and it was there.’’
Thomas received the honor after leading the Eastern Conference in scoring (33.3 points per game) and ranking sixth in assists (7.3) as the Celtics went 3-1 over the past week, including road wins over the Grizzlies and the Pacers. He scored a career high 44 points in the overtime win over Memphis.
“I’m going to just keep going,’’ Thomas said. “I know when we’re successful as a team, I always say the individual awards and success will always be there. We just keep winning, and all that stuff comes with it. I’m going to continue to do my part and then we’ve just got to continue to be a pretty good basketball club, and I think we can do that.’’
Allen looks back
Tony Allen spent his first six seasons with the Celtics and came up for free agency after helping Boston reach the 2010 NBA Finals. Allen had dealt with his share of injuries, but was considered one of the league’s top defenders.
He said he wanted to return on a three-year contract, but that the Celtics offered a three-year, $9 million deal with a team option for the third year. The Grizzlies fully guaranteed the same contract and nabbed Allen in one of their most significant signings in franchise history.
Allen has become an essential part of the Grizzlies’ identity, naming FedEx Forum “The Grindhouse’’ and himself “The Grindfather’’ for his workmanlike style.
The Celtics missed out on having Allen during the final years of the Big Three Era.
“Yeah it irked me,’’ Allen said before Tuesday’s game. “I thought I would be [in Boston], but at the same time you understand the business. There’s no ill feelings. It’s just the nature the business. I appreciate those guys giving me my first job. I moved on.
“My career is still at an all-time high. I’m still ‘The Grindfather.’ I say it in the most humbling way, but it didn’t affect me. It made me stronger.’’
Allen has dealt with his share of injuries over his six years in Memphis, but two weeks before his 35th birthday, he remains one of the league’s top defenders, making that initial contract look like a bargain for Memphis.
“Facts,’’ Allen said. “I just looked at it like it was a business and I moved on and I blossomed. You’ve been watching me. You see what’s up.’’
Allen went for 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals in the Grizzlies’ 113-103 loss.
Show of respect
After games, NBA coaches tend to wave to each other from opposite benches before departing to their respective locker rooms. After the Grizzlies lost to the Celtics last Tuesday, though, Stevens and Grizzlies coach David Fizdale met near midcourt for a handshake, in a moment that has become almost unusual in today’s NBA.
“I just have such a high level of respect for the position, and especially Brad,’’ Fizdale said. “Coming out of college, most college guys don’t have success. But Brad really took that challenge and made the adjustment quickly. His team really plays a great style of basketball that I respect.’’
Gary Washburn of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.
