NBA draft 2021 results: Clippers select Kentucky guard Brandon Boston Jr.

The LA Clippers came into the 2021 NBA Draft with one selection and came away with three, the third of which was guard Brandon “BJ” Boston Jr. out of Kentucky.

The Clippers selected Boston with the No. 51 overall selection, in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, LA sending back cash and a future top-55 protected 2nd round pick in the deal.

Boston, 19, was a five-star recruit to Kentucky. Originally from Georgia, he played for Southern California prep powerhouse Sierra Canyon in 2019 before heading to college.

Boston was expected to be a high draft prospect coming into his freshman season, ranking No. 2 on the first SB Nation mock draft for the 2021 draft.

However, he never fully broke out in his lone season with the Wildcats, averaging 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Adding to his difficulties, he trained with Kentucky teammate Terrence Clarke in April for the draft and witnessed Clarke’s fatal car accident after the workout. According to the ESPN broadcast, he struggled in many of the pre-draft interviews and workouts, although his grief is certainly understandable.

All in all, given his draft position, this is a risk/reward pick for the Clippers. If it works out, great, he’ll make the roster and if he doesn’t seem like he can put it together on an NBA roster, then LA will pass. He seems to have considerable gifts and potential, and now it’s a matter of seeing if he’ll make the grade.