Indiana Pacers 2021 Draft Profile: Kentucky forward BJ Boston Jr.

The Indiana Pacers have held their second pre-draft workout with some intriguing names being looked at. One of those players is Brandon Boston Jr. 

The Indiana Pacers have officially wrapped up their second pre-draft workout session. On July 1st, the Pacers brought in six prospects to get a more hands-on approach with them before the 2021 NBA Draft arrives. One of the players that were invited to work out for the Pacers was Kentucky freshman BJ Boston Jr.

B.J. Boston Jr. is one of the latest one-and-done recruits from John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats. Boston is a shooting guard/small forward that stands at around 6-foot-7 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Boston has the physical tools that could make him into an elite offensive player and a really good defender.

Boston’s game shines on the offensive end of the floor where he is a crafty scorer and a threat from three-point range. He has an array of moves in his bag that can get him around the rim or in the midrange where can easily score. His bread and butter will be on the offensive end in the league.

Boston didn’t quite have the year he wanted at Kentucky this past season. He was very inconsistent on a team that played well below expectations. Boston averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game, and posted an effective field goal percentage of 40.7 percent. These stats are decent on paper but combine them with his low shooting percentages (35% FG, 30% 3PA) and you can see why Boston’s stock has fallen.

The big question surrounding Boston is what else can he do at a high level besides scoring in the NBA. He has the potential and physical traits to develop into a big-time scorer but what other areas of the game can he have an impact on?

Defense is an area that will need improvement, as the effort and consistency could be better. Boston’s playmaking ability could also be improved and has the potential to be quite the pick-and-roll facilitator.

All in all, B.J. Boston is a very intriguing player heading into the draft. Boston is projected as a real late first-round pick or second round. I think if you’re a team in need of a wing scorer Boston would be a fine developmental project. I believe if he ends up with the right team and takes time to develop his game he could be a pretty solid NBA player for years to come.