BJ Boston (SEC Photo)
If Kentucky coach John Calipari was trying to make a subtle sales pitch to BJ Boston late in the season about why another year at UK would help him, the message didn’t go through. Boston — to no one’s surprise — announced Saturday he was not only putting his name into the NBA draft after an inconsistent freshman season but would stay in the draft no matter what feedback he got back from NBA officials.
“It was an honor for me to play for the Big Blue Nation this season and to suit up for one of the best coaches in the country,” Boston said in a statement released by UK. “I want to thank Coach Cal, the staff, and my teammates for pushing me day in and day out to be the best player I could be. I’m proud of the progress I made on the court and off it this season. I’m disappointed in the results because we really wanted to win for the best fans in the country.
“I want to thank my family, friends and my brothers for life for always supporting me. That support, along with my experience at Kentucky, has given me the confidence to take this next step. Being a professional basketball player has been my dream for as long as I can remember. I’m excited for this opportunity and I know that I will have the foundation to handle anything that comes my way because of my time as a Wildcat. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.”
Boston made 24 starts in 25 appearances for the Wildcats this season. He averaged a team-high-tying 11.5 points per game and his 4.5 rebounds per outing led the guards. He led UK with 33 steals and had six games with three or more swipes.
However, Boston was no consistent 3-point threat all season and in his final game against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament had ZERO POINTS. He also had trouble finishing at the rim most of the season because of his lack of physical strength.
Boston came to UK as a top 10 recruit in his class and considered a certain one-and-done player. However, he never lived up to that billing or his own desire to be the best player ever to play the game.
Calipari stayed with Boston no matter what most of the season. Missed shots, turnovers, defensive lapses … it didn’t matter. Calipari kept trying to stick with Boston and give him a chance to become a dominant player, something he never did.
“Brandon would be the first to tell you this season wasn’t easy. It was tough and filled with challenges. But what impressed me with him is how he handled any adversity thrown his way like a professional would — with maturity and with a work ethic that some of our best guys in that league have had,” Calipari said.
“Breaking his finger over the summer set him back but he just kept working. BJ got so much better as the season went on and has only scratched the surface of who he is going to become as a player. He has the mindset, the drive, and the skillset to succeed in that league. BJ and his family know they have my full support and I look forward to watching him chase his dreams.”
Boston reached double figures in a team-high 17 games and had a pair of 20-point performances. Boston was the only guard on the team to record a double-double this season with 20 points and a career-best 10 rebounds against Richmond.
However, several sources with NBA connections hope Boston understands he’s not considered a hot commodity in the league now.
“The kid came to Kentucky with a big reputation but was not physically ready for the SEC so how can he be physically ready for the NBA,” one NBA source said. “He’s probably destined for the G-League for a while and he has to get stronger plus get a lot more consistent with his shooting. It’s not like Calipari didn’t give him plenty of chances to show what he could do.”
