2021 NBA Draft Profile

BJ

Boston

Round 251
Drafted By:Memphis Grizzlies
Position
F
Height/Weight
6-7 / 190 lbs
School/Club
Kentucky
Country
USA
Status
Freshman
Birthday
11/28/2001
Draft 2021

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About BJ Boston

• BJ Boston is a lanky forward who provided glimpses of potential as a shot maker and ball handler during his up-and-down freshman season at Kentucky. The Georgia native started his career at Norcross High School (GA), but finished his prep career at Sierra Canyon School (CA) widely regarded as one of the top-5 prospects in the high school class of 2020. Earning McDonald’s All-American honors, Boston faced considerable expectations as a freshman under Head Coach John Calipari. Limited by a hand injury in the pre-season, Boston finished his freshman year averaging 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

• Listed at 6’7 with an improving 185-pound frame to go along with a 6’11.5 wingspan, Boston lacks a degree of strength, but has terrific size and fluidity for a wing.

• Leading the Wildcats in scoring many nights last season, Boston was able to be the primary scorer his team searched for all season on several notable occasions. Operating primarily off the ball, he did his best work in the open floor, but showed flashes of ability as a jump shooter and slasher as well. Still early in his development as a scorer in the half court, he was unable to find a rhythm at times in SEC play.

• Putting together some solid stretches on the defensive end using his length when he was dialed in, Boston has a chance to guard multiple positions as his frame improves and his game matures


Advanced Stats

• Playing primarily off the ball at Kentucky, Boston had some ups and downs as a floor spacer and finisher, but scored very opportunistically running the wings in transition. Averaging 1.15 points per transition possession [72nd percentile], he showed nice speed in the open floor, the ability to finish above the rim, and shot the three a measure better in the open court than he did within the Wildcats’ half court sets.

• Scoring 0.71 points per jump shot in the half court [21st percentile], his consistency left something to be desired from the perimeter as a freshman. Attempting a high volume of midrange pull-ups while searching for consistency with his mechanics, Boston appeared early in his development as a shot-maker but showed what he was capable of on a few notable occasions.

• Flashing intriguing fluidity with the ball, Boston displayed some ability to stop and pop with range and get to the rim out of designed actions. Averaging 0.85 points per shot around the rim in the half court [13th percentile], he forced some tough shots around defenders as he is still learning how to deal with contact.


Defensive Analysis

• Boston held his own at times defensively on and off the ball as a freshman as his length is a helps him contest shots on the perimeter and he has good lateral speed. Allowing 0.53 points per isolation possession [77th percentile], he could not always match the physicality of more mature slashers but has some clear tools to work with and natural room to improve as his frame matures.

• Displaying some instincts pursuing rebounds and getting in the passing lanes, Boston had some solid stretches when he was dialed in defensively last season.

 

— Profile by Synergy Sports