BJ Boston hit five 3-pointers in Saturday's win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
In Kentucky’s first 17 games, freshman BJ Boston made just 11 of 55 3-point shots — a 20 percent mark. In 10 of those games, he did not make a 3-pointer. The last two games — he’s 9-for-13 from 3-point range, including 5-for-8 Saturday in an 82-80 comeback win over Auburn that snapped a four game UK losing streak.
Boston not only had 14 of his 17 points in the second half when UK scored a season-high 52 points, but he also found other ways to help the Cats win — something he has not always done this year. He tied his career highs with four steals and three assists.
“BJ is playing so much better. You know why? He’s playing for his team,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “All the stuff you saw early on, which was like an AAU game, you’re not seeing it now. Now he’s playing for his teammates.”
Boston said nothing has really changed with his 3-point shooting or the team’s shooting even though the Cats have made 25 3-pointers in the last two games.
“We have just been consistent in the gym, in the mornings, in the nights, just getting up a lot of shots,” the UK freshman said. “Just a lot of made shots actually.”
Made shots. That has a nice ring to it because way too often this season the Cats, especially Boston, have not made shots. He’s still shooting just 37 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range and has taken way more shots than any other UK player.
Boston believes his game has evolved and he’s trending in the direction of being the player everyone expected. He is UK’s leading scorer at 12.2 points per game but has not been the go-to player most anticipated him being.
“(I) try to get my guys involved, try to bring that energy that I know is contagious for the team that we need,” Boston said after Saturday’s win. “Just try to win and go out there and make winning plays every time I am on the court.”
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl tried to recruit Boston, who played his high school basketball in Georgia until his senior year when he went to California.
“BJ Boston is playing like he was supposed to play earlier this season,” Pearl said. “I’m happy for BJ. We like him.”
The way he’s played the last two games — 34 points, 11-for-22 from the field, 9-for-13 from 3, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and just one turnover in 64 minutes — makes it easy for everybody to like him and finally start to see why he was so highly touted going into the season.
