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.

Brandon Boston Jr.
Boston with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022
No. 11 – New Orleans Pelicans
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-11-28) November 28, 2001 (age 23)
Norcross, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeKentucky (2020–2021)
NBA draft2021: 2nd round, 51st overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2021–present
Career history
20212024Los Angeles Clippers
20212024Agua Caliente / Ontario Clippers
2024–presentNew Orleans Pelicans
2024–presentBirmingham Squadron
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

High school career

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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

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

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Brandon Boston Jr.
SG
Norcross, GA Sierra Canyon School (CA) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jul 27, 2019 
Star ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 96
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 5  247Sports: 6  ESPN: 7
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kentucky 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  • "2020 Kentucky Wildcats Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.

College career

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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

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

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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)

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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

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 L.A. Clippers 51 0 14.9 .385 .306 .819 2.2 1.0 .5 .3 6.7
2022–23 L.A. Clippers 22 1 11.3 .418 .414 .763 1.4 .9 .4 .0 6.5
2023–24 L.A. Clippers 32 0 10.8 .404 .269 .697 1.6 .4 .3 .3 5.2
Career 105 1 12.9 .396 .313 .776 1.8 .8 .4 .2 6.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 L.A. Clippers 1 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
2024 L.A. Clippers 3 0 3.2 .500 .500 .7 .3 .0 .0 1.7
Career 4 0 2.7 .500 .500 .5 .3 .0 .0 1.3

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Kentucky 25 24 30.3 .355 .300 .785 4.5 1.6 1.3 .2 11.5

Personal life

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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]

References

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  1. ^ Fattal, Tarek (July 19, 2019). "Sierra Canyon basketball adds second 5-star recruit in less than 24 hours, BJ Boston from Georgia". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Norcross 5-star Brandon Boston joining star-studded LA powerhouse Sierra Canyon".[dead link]
  3. ^ Roberts, Ben (February 14, 2020). "Jordan Brand Classic rosters are out. How many Kentucky basketball recruits made it?". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Borzello, Jeff (July 27, 2019). "Kentucky lands Boston, No. 7 recruit for 2020". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kentucky lands five-star guard, former Norcross star Brandon Boston". GwinnettDailyPost.com. July 27, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "No. 10 Kentucky rolls past Morehead State 81-45 in opener". ESPN. November 26, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Borzello, Jeff (March 20, 2021). "Kentucky's Brandon Boston Jr. becomes third Wildcat to declare for NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Pelicans acquire Valančiūnas and Graham in three-team trade with Grizzlies and Hornets". NBA.com. August 7, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "Pelicans complete trade with Clippers". NBA.com. August 7, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Irving, Kyle (December 23, 2022). "2022 G League Winter Showcase roundup: Results, stats, top performances, prize money from tournament". Sporting News. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  11. ^ Maher, Rory (August 8, 2024). "Spurs Sign Brandon Boston Jr". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  12. ^ NathanBeighle (August 9, 2024). "Brandon Boston Jr. signs with the San Antonio Spurs". ASeaOfBlue.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  13. ^ sasmcasey (October 19, 2024). "Spurs Announce 2024-25 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  14. ^ "New Orleans Pelicans claim Brandon Boston Jr. off waivers". NBA.com. October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Sources: UK men's basketball player Terrence Clarke dies in Los Angeles". WKYT.com. April 23, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Farner, Keith (April 22, 2021). "Kentucky's Terrence Clarke reportedly involved in fatal crash in Los Angeles". SaturdayDownSouth.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  17. ^ McBride, Jessica (April 23, 2021). "Video Shows Terrence Clarke Fatal Car Crash Scene". Heavy.com. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Thompson, Tyler, Mrs. (November 6, 2020). "Why BJ Boston keeps a dollar in his shoe during games". on3.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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