While the LA Clippers season is not even half over yet, it’s hard to not be impressed with what their best rookie, Brandon Boston Jr., has been able to do this season.
Boston, who was the last Clipper taken in the draft, was taken with the 51st pick due to his ridiculous talent he showed at Sierra Canyon High School right here in Southern California. He was the No. 1 shooting guard recruit in the Class of 2020 (No. 5 player in the nation). He admittedly struggled in college, but so did everyone at Kentucky last year.
The Clips knew that there was no way he lost talent, however, and he showcased plenty of talent the last time he was playing ball in SoCal:
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The LA Clippers drafted the steal of the whole draft by taking Brandon Boston Jr. at 51.
Brandon Boston Jr. has excelled in his opportunities this season for the LA Clippers. For instance, on December 22nd, it felt like players around Boston were dropping like flies.
Of course, Kawhi Leonard and Jason Preston were out, but Marcus Morris Sr., Luke Kennard, and Reggie Jackson were out due to the league’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols. Isaiah Hartenstein was still dealing with his sprained ankle.
Boston had another chance to receive extended minutes. It was his eighth time this year where he had played 19 minutes or more (he played 22 that day). The Clips won that game, and advanced to 5-3 in games where Boston had played 19 or more minutes.
In those eight contests, he averaged 11.6 points per game, averaged 1.3 steals per game, shot 41.2% from the field, shot 41.4% from deep, and shot a perfect 100% from the stripe. When he’s needed to be part of the regular rotation, he’s been there. He put up those numbers in just 21.6 minutes per contest.
Boston has not only proven that he has a future as an important piece in this rotation, but he also proved that he has what it takes to be a star in this league someday. He’s even won the Clippers a game before without Paul George. The Clips got a good one in Boston, and I can’t wait to see him continue to be developed by Ty Lue.