WALTHAM, Mass. — Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will be the first to tell you that most draft picks selected 58th don't make it in the NBA.

But when it comes to Lester Hudson, who Boston picked 58th in the second round, all bets are off.

Hudson was the second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season, averaging 27.5 points per game for the University of Tennessee-Martin. And it is that scoring ability, coupled with his tenacious defense, that makes Ainge believe that he can be successful in the NBA.

"Every year there's players picked at 58 and they rarely do make it, but I think Lester has an opportunity of a lifetime," Ainge said at a press conference in Waltham on Wednesday. "It really is on him. It's up to him to prove to coach (Doc) Rivers that we need him, and that's a tough challenge."

Hudson is ready to accept that challenge and defy the odds.

"It's never been easy for me growing up so I never expected it would be easy for me in the draft," Hudson said. "I thought I was going to go higher but I came to a great organization. The Boston Celtics, they win a lot. You always see them in the playoffs, so I'm fortunate to be drafted by the Boston Celtics and have the opportunity to play for this team. I am going to go out and play hard and try to win over the coaches and GM and everybody like that so I have a great opportunity and I'm just going to go out and play hard."

Ainge also thought that Hudson was going to go higher in the draft.

"We had rated Lester much higher than where he went in this draft," Ainge said. "I think he's what we need. Like I said, there are just not that many players that can create offense and play that good of defense. He's strong. He's tough. He's got long arms, which is why I think he's a good defender and good rebounder. He's got a good, strong will to play and I think he's got a chance to play in the NBA for a while."

Hudson has been praised for his offensive prowess, but he said that he takes just as much pride in playing defense as he does scoring. That will help his cause in making the Celtics roster. The Celtics have built their foundation on playing stellar defense.

"I compete every possession, offense and defense," Hudson said. "I compete and I'm a winner. I love to win. That's why I play basketball, because I'm so competitive. I came to a great team that I think can [use] my game. I can fit their game and fit their offense and defense because I don't like anybody to score on me, so it's a great opportunity for me."

In his first season at UT-Martin, Hudson ranked fifth in the nation in scoring (25.7); fourth in steals (2.8); and 10th in 3-pointers made per game (3.8).

"Lester is probably known for being a scorer in college basketball," Ainge said. "But we see Lester as a much greater player than that. He's one of the best defensive players in college on the perimeter. He's a terrific passer. He averages eight rebounds per game as a point guard and sometimes the shooting guard position. He's a great competitor. He's tough kid and I think he's a very versatile player that can fit into our defensive schemes and at the same time create offense. We're excited to have him with us here today."

If it wasn't for his poor academics in high school, Hudson would have probably played for a big-time university. He didn't go to high school often, and even when he did, he didn't always go to class. He spent a lot of time in the gym, though he played only one year of high school basketball.

He credits Central High coach Andre Applewhite, who saw him playing in the gym with several other varsity players, for turning his life around.

"I've been playing basketball all my life," Hudson said. "It had been hard growing up for me. I used to play at the playgrounds and rec centers and the older guys would be pushing on me and that made me play harder so it feels good that feels good so I've just been playing the game ever since."

Hudson starred on Central's team as a junior, but was ineligible to play as a senior because he had turned 19 during the summer. He left Central without his high school diploma and, it seemed, without much of a future.

But he earned his GED, spent two seasons playing for Southwest Tennessee Community College, and then went on to star at UT-Martin.

"I can handle a lot of stuff that is thrown at me," Hudson said. "I've been going through a lot over the past couple of years. I have bumps and bruises in my life so I think that helps me a lot, my age right now."

Ainge said that the 24-year-old Hudson is probably more prepared mentally than the younger players in the draft.

 "Every year players have to prove themselves and earn their spots and earn their stripes so this is no different," Ainge added. "Every year we bring in draft picks and free agents and that's just the business that we're in. You have to prove yourself everyday."

"I got my name called, so it's up to me now," said Hudson, who will get his first opportunity to prove himself while playing for Boston's summer league team. "It's a great team, and I have a great opportunity to play for the Boston Celtics."

NOTES: Comcast SportsNet has been reporting for several days that the Celtics are pursuing free agent Rasheed Wallace, and Ainge confirmed that Wednesday in an interview with the network. "We have interest in Rasheed," Ainge said. "We'll explore and talk to Rasheed's people and try to visit with Rasheed and see if he has any interest in us."

roblee@projo.com