BOSTON -- The smallest player on the Boston Celtics’ roster has gotten a little lost in Tacko-mania and the suddenly fierce competition for the Boston Celtics’ final roster spot, which isn’t entirely fair given how well he has played.

But Tremont Waters’ contributions through the first three preseason games have not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, nor by the team’s higher-ups that selected him in the second round after an impressive workout right before the draft.

“Just being tough on defense, knowing when to gamble, just play my game off instincts and knowing when to play it solid in close-game situations,” Waters said. “Just time and score and basically being myself. (Danny Ainge) said he likes my game and he likes what I can bring, and Austin (Aing) actually said the same. Just to hear that gives me confidence to go out there and not feel like I’m in the wrong situation. I’m in a great situation.”

That “great situation” includes one of Waters’ favorite players as a child: Kemba Walker. Waters grew up in Connecticut, and he was 11 when Walker played for UConn -- a fact that leaves Walker shaking his head these days.

“Old,” Walker said with a chuckle, when asked how Waters’ childhood fandom makes him feel now. “Yeah, he showed me a picture when I was a sophomore in college and he was 11. It flies by so fast. College was nine years ago, man. I remember being a rookie here in the league, always being one of the youngest guys on the team, and now I’m like the third-oldest guy on the team. It’s crazy.”

But while Waters makes Walker feel old, the Celtics’ star appreciates the rookie’s enthusiasm as a student of the game.

“He’s really, really smart,” Walker said. “Really smart. I’m a huge fan, I love his game, love the way he works on the court. And yeah, he always asks me questions just trying to get better. You’ve got to appreciate stuff like that.”

For now, Waters’ focus is mostly his body. He’s learning how to be a pick-and-roll lead guard in the NBA -- when to shoot off the screen, when to change pace, how to leverage himself against bigger defenders given his stature -- but unlike fellow undersized rookie Carsen Edwards, Waters is thin, and he hopes to pack on some muscle and improve his endurance.

“I just have to work on my body, getting bigger and stronger, being able to last longer on the floor and just continue to improve every day,” Waters said. “There’s always something I can work on, and my conditioning is something I have to stay on top of. If I’m in great shape, everything will take care of itself.”

In limited minutes during the preseason, Waters has looked much better than the average rookie point guard. He’s slithery around screens and an intelligent passer -- a natural at collapsing the defense and kicking out to open 3-point shooters. Per 36 minutes (against the end of opposing team’s benches, to be clear), Waters has posted 17.7 points and 8.8 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He’s only made one of his five 3-point attempts, but he’s learning how to get shots off against NBA competition -- lessons that can be taken from Walker.

“Obviously he’s quick -- we have that in common,” Waters said of Walker. “He’s smaller, just pretty much knowing when to go, just watching him and seeing his moves -- when he goes, time and score all those little things. ... I pick up on things quickly. Overall, it’s fun.”

Waters will spend much of the season shuttling back and forth between Maine and Boston on a two-way deal, and after the preseason is over, he isn’t likely to see much real time this season. But the team will keep its eye on their second-round pick in the G-League, and he might very well force his way into more playing time in the future.

For now, Waters has managed to convert one of his favorite players as a child into a fan of his game.

“He’s small and shifty, and he just knows how to play,” Walker said. “His height doesn’t even matter. He’s tough. I’m a huge fan, I think he’s going to very successful. I think he’s got a chance. ... That’s my little brother man. Teammate. Whatever I can do to help for sure. He wants to learn, he wants to get better and he allows me to help him. I’m cool with that for sure.”

MassLive’s John Karalis contributed to this story.