Brandon Boston Jr. Explained

Brandon Boston Jr.
Position:Shooting guard / small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:188
League:NBA
Team:New Orleans Pelicans
Number:11
Birth Date:28 November 2001
Birth Place:Norcross, Georgia, U.S.
High School:
College:Kentucky (2020–2021)
Draft Year:2021
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:51
Draft Team:Memphis Grizzlies
Career Start:2021
Years1:
Team1:Los Angeles Clippers
Years2:20212024
Team2:Agua Caliente / Ontario Clippers
Years3:–present
Team3:New Orleans Pelicans
Years4:2024–present
Team4:Birmingham Squadron
Highlights:

Brandon Elliot Boston Jr. (born November 28, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.

High school career

Boston originally attended Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia before transferring to Sierra Canyon School in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Chatsworth in 2019. He played alongside LeBron James's son Bronny James and Dwyane Wade's son Zaire Wade.[1] In his final season at Norcross, he averaged 18.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.[2]

He was selected to play in the 2020 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. He was also selected to play in the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic.[3]

Recruiting

A five-star recruit, Boston committed to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky.[4] [5]

College career

In his college debut on November 25, 2020, Boston posted 15 points and seven rebounds in an 81–45 win over Morehead State.[6] He scored 21 points in the season finale win against South Carolina. As a freshman, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. On March 20, 2021, Boston declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[7]

Professional career

Los Angeles / Agua Caliente / Ontario Clippers (2021–2024)

Boston was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 51st pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers via the New Orleans Pelicans.[8] [9]

Boston was assigned to the Clippers' NBA G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers, for their G League season-opener. Boston helped the since-relocated Ontario Clippers win the G League Winter Showcase championship in 2022, earning Showcase Cup MVP honors after scoring 21 points in the final.[10]

On August 8, 2024, Boston signed with the San Antonio Spurs,[11] [12] but was waived on October 19.[13]

New Orleans Pelicans / Birmingham Squadron (2024–present)

On October 21, 2024, Boston was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Pelicans, who later converted his deal into a two-way contract.[14]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 51 || 0 || 14.9 || .385 || .306 || .819 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .3 || 6.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 22 || 1 || 11.3 || .418 || .414 || .763 || 1.4 || .9 || .4 || .0 || 6.5|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 32 || 0 || 10.8 || .404 || .269 || .697 || 1.6 || .4 || .3 || .3 || 5.2|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 105 || 1 || 12.9 || .396 || .313 || .776 || 1.8 || .8 || .4 || .2 || 6.2

Playoffs

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 1 || 0 || 1.0 || || || || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2024| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 3 || 0 || 3.2 || .500 || || .500 || .7 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.7|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 4 || 0 || 2.7 || .500 || || .500 || .5 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.3

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Kentucky| 25 || 24 || 30.3 || .355 || .300 || .785 || 4.5 || 1.6 || 1.3 || .2 || 11.5

Personal life

After a workout with Kentucky teammate Terrence Clarke on April 22, 2021, Clarke was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles, California.[15] Clarke, driving by himself, was killed while Boston, in the car behind of Clarke, witnessed the crash.[16] [17]

He also keeps a dollar bill in his shoe during games.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Tarek. Fattal. Sierra Canyon basketball adds second 5-star recruit in less than 24 hours, BJ Boston from Georgia. Los Angeles Daily News. July 19, 2019. February 21, 2020.
  2. Web site: Norcross 5-star Brandon Boston joining star-studded LA powerhouse Sierra Canyon.
  3. News: Ben. Roberts. Jordan Brand Classic rosters are out. How many Kentucky basketball recruits made it?. Lexington Herald Leader. February 14, 2020. February 21, 2020.
  4. Web site: Jeff. Borzello. Kentucky lands Boston, No. 7 recruit for 2020 . ESPN.com. July 27, 2019. November 11, 2023.
  5. Web site: Kentucky lands five-star guard, former Norcross star Brandon Boston. GwinnettDailyPost.com. July 27, 2019. October 19, 2024.
  6. News: No. 10 Kentucky rolls past Morehead State 81-45 in opener. ESPN. November 26, 2020. June 18, 2021.
  7. News: Jeff. Borzello. Kentucky's Brandon Boston Jr. becomes third Wildcat to declare for NBA draft. ESPN. March 20, 2021. June 23, 2021.
  8. Web site: Pelicans acquire Valančiūnas and Graham in three-team trade with Grizzlies and Hornets. NBA.com. August 7, 2021. November 11, 2023.
  9. Web site: Pelicans complete trade with Clippers. NBA.com. August 7, 2021. November 11, 2023.
  10. News: Kyle. Irving. 2022 G League Winter Showcase roundup: Results, stats, top performances, prize money from tournament. Sporting News. December 23, 2022. December 23, 2022.
  11. Web site: Rory. Maher. Spurs Sign Brandon Boston Jr.. HoopsRumors.com. August 8, 2024. September 1, 2024.
  12. Web site: NathanBeighle. Brandon Boston Jr. signs with the San Antonio Spurs. ASeaOfBlue.com. August 9, 2024. August 17, 2024.
  13. Web site: sasmcasey. Spurs Announce 2024-25 Opening Night Roster. NBA.com. October 19, 2024. October 19, 2024.
  14. Web site: New Orleans Pelicans claim Brandon Boston Jr. off waivers. NBA.com. October 21, 2024. October 22, 2024.
  15. Web site: Sources: UK men's basketball player Terrence Clarke dies in Los Angeles. WKYT.com. April 23, 2021. November 11, 2023.
  16. Web site: Keith. Farner. Kentucky's Terrence Clarke reportedly involved in fatal crash in Los Angeles. SaturdayDownSouth.com. April 22, 2021. November 11, 2023.
  17. Web site: Jessica. McBride. Video Shows Terrence Clarke Fatal Car Crash Scene. Heavy.com. April 23, 2021. October 18, 2021.
  18. Web site: Tyler, Mrs.. Thompson. Why BJ Boston keeps a dollar in his shoe during games. on3.com. November 6, 2020. November 11, 2023.