Songaila went on to play all four years at Wake Forest, leading the Demon Deacons in scoring (17.9), rebounding (8.1) and free throw shooting percentage (85.4) as a senior en route to earning honorable mention All-America honors.

``He was one of the better players in the ACC this year,'' Celtics general manager Chris Wallace said last night at The Sports Authority Center in Waltham. ``He visited a number of teams from the late 20s in the first round to the early second, but as often happens with several other players, the draft just went against him.

``He's a unique player because he has high-level American college experience, and he's a four-year senior. And he's a foreigner who has had experience with the (Lithuanian) international team.''

Wallace, also a New Hampton alumnus, described the 6-9, 248-pound Songaila as a player rugged enough to mix it up inside, and who is capable of stepping out and hitting the outside shot. And, though Wallace sounded genuinely surprised Songaila was still on the board when the Celtics picked, he raised doubts whether he would have what it takes to make the roster this season.

``I don't want to rule out any possibilities, but our roster confines are going to make this a tough team to make for an outside player,'' said Wallace, who in the best-case scenario would have Songaila play overseas for at least a year while the Celtics retain his rights. ``But we don't have a commitment on that (whether he'd play overseas). We will have to cross that bridge later on in the summer.''

Reached by phone Songaila said, ``It was a nice surprise (to be drafted by the Celtics). They have a great tradition, it's a great team, and I'm looking forward to getting there and seeing what I can do in the summer league.

``I hope to be in training camp and make the team (this year). I want to try to make the team right away. I want to go there and give it my best shot. I think I'm ready (for the NBA).''

Songaila was the only business handled by the Celtics last night, in stark contrast to the 2001 draft, during which the team had three first-round picks. The casual atmosphere and smallish media turnout at the Celtics' training facility suggested it would be a quiet night.

The Celtics were under something of a microscope during last year's proceedings, with consecutive lottery picks (Nos. 10-11) and the 21st overall selection. They chose Joe Johnson, Kedrick Brown and Joseph Forte, respectively, and spoke afterward about their good fortune in landing the trio. The Celtics even had co-captains Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce in attendance to discuss the team's latest additions.

There were no players on hand last night.

As for the 2001 picks, Johnson is no longer a Celtic, having been shipped to Phoenix in the February deal that brought Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk. Brown, a talented athlete who rarely played last season, remains an unknown commodity.