BOSTON — Charles Bassey has played for five different NBA teams since being drafted in 2021. This season, he’s bounced around the league on Ten-Day contracts, enjoying stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors.

Since mid-March, he’s been with the Celtics; Bassey signed his first Ten-Day contract on March 15th, and his second this past Sunday.

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And, while he doesn’t know what his future holds, this stint in Boston has stood out.

“This is professional,” Bassey told CelticsBlog. “Everything the coaches do, the players — it’s just direct. It’s just fun because everybody comes in and works, and they come in with a smile on their faces. It’s been great, to be honest. It’s been good being here.”

This month isn’t Bassey’s first experience with the Celtics. The 25-year-old spent this past Summer League with the Celtics, where he spoke openly about wanting to be a part of a championship-caliber organization.

Now, he’s seeing the behind-the-scenes of how the Celtics operate, and it’s struck him so far.

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Optional workouts? Everyone files in, even the team’s stars, whether for rehab, on-court work, or film breakdowns.

“When the coach says, ‘Okay, there’s optional stuff, but you don’t [have to] come in’, everybody still shows up,” Bassey said. “That just helps the team grow, and helps build connection with the team. Guys are just coming in ready to work every day, regardless if it’s optional — you got to show up. They’re always in the gym, they’re always in the practice facility, so they put in the work. Me coming in and seeing that, it’s fun.”

His transition has been made easier due to the fact that the team is filled with familiar faces. Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Max Shulga, and Amari Williams were also all on the Summer League team — that’s five of the Celtics’ 13 rostered players.

On top of that, Bassey played against Luka Garza in college and knows both Garza and Neemias Queta from his time in the G League.

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There’s a lot of familiarity with the coaching staff; he’s mostly worked with player development coaches Nana Foulland and Steve Tchiechang, both of whom he first got to know in July. Bassey oftentimes gets in post work before games alongside fellow center Williams.

“Everybody I was working with in the summer leagues are the same coaches I’m working with right now,” Bassey said. “So, it’s just familiar faces.”

Bassey is now on his second Ten-Day contract with the Celtics — that contract expires on April 3rd, and his future in Boston is uncertain. The Celtics are required to have 14 players on their roster, so they’ll have to sign someone once Bassey’s contract expires. Bassey is an option, or the team could go with someone else, such as a former Ten-Day player like Dalano Banton.

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For now, he’s working hard to stay ready in case an opportunity emerges.

“You just gotta come ready to walk, man,” Bassey said. “You never know — there might be opportunities. So you just gotta come ready to just work, show the coaches and the guys you’re ready to work and help the team any way you can.”