What to know about Arkansas wing

Here are five things to know about the Celtics’ draft pick:

1. He should provide energy and stout defense

Walsh might need to polish his overall game but his energy and defensive intensity stood out throughout his freshman season. With a 7-foot-3-inch wingspan and a 6-7 frame, he is a versatile defender who flies all over the court, slows down players on the perimeter, and is not afraid to scrap in the paint.

During ESPN’s draft broadcast, analyst Jay Bilas noted that Walsh allowed only 34 percent shooting as a primary defender in college.

If his game rounds out, Walsh could establish himself as a tireless defender and spark plug off the bench who makes winning plays thanks to a high motor, second effort, and scrappy play.

2. He needs to work on his offense

Walsh might carve out dependable minutes only if he becomes a more effective threat on offense.

In college, he did plenty of damage in transition, but easy lobs and layups will be much harder to come by in Portland, Maine, with the Celtics’ G League team, and in Boston.

Walsh has sound shooting form, but that didn’t lead to tangible results at Arkansas. He averaged 7.1 points per game in his one season, making just 27.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.

The Ringer’s draft profile had him with shades of a “supercharged Jae Crowder.” But a smooth shooting form doesn’t mean all that much if you don’t consistently sink shots from deep.

3. He struggled to find a role at Arkansas

A highly touted prospect coming out of Link Academy in Branson, Mo., Walsh spent the majority of his one college season trying to settle into a defined spot on a talented squad.

On a team that also featured first-round picks Anthony Black (selected No. 6 overall by Orlando) and Nick Smith Jr. (No. 27 by Charlotte), Walsh logged the sixth-most minutes, starting 22 of his 35 games.

With Black and Ricky Council IV shouldering most of the scoring burden for Arkansas, Walsh had to alter his game in college — a far cry from the role he had a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American in 2022. Still, he played a key role in Arkansas’s run to the Sweet 16, which included an upset win over No. 1 Kansas.

Walsh likely could have put himself in the conversation as a first-round target in 2024 if he returned to the Razorbacks in a featured spot as a sophomore.

4. His energy on the court led to bad habits

Walsh’s nonstop motor often led to him winning 50-50 balls with diving plays and scraps for offensive rebounds. But that high-octane energy also got him in foul trouble. In 35 games, he fouled out in eight of them.

Harnessing that defensive intensity without racking up reach-in fouls and other infractions will be one of the many learning curves he will face.

5. He has raised awareness about alopecia

From an early age, Walsh has dealt with alopecia — a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss.

Walsh is one of many pro athletes who have the condition, including former NBA forward Charlie Villanueva and ex-NFL linebacker Ryan Shazier.

Walsh has served as a resource for others who are dealing with it. In October, he and Arkansas women’s basketball guard Rylee Langerman, who also has the condition, helped celebrate the release of “Beanies, Ball Caps, and Being Bald,” a book that details the story of a boy from Arkansas who has alopecia.

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Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.