Toronto Raptors draft: 4 second round prospects Masai Ujiri could take
By Avishai Sol
No. 3: Brandon Boston Jr., SG, Kentucky
Boston was a sensation in high school but really struggled this past year at Kentucky. Still, there’s something to be said for guys who were once projected as a top-two pick.
Boston is a silky smooth wing who likes to dance with the ball. Early on, it was his jump shot that was the key to his game, but he’s become more comfortable taking it to the basket off cuts. Boston’s offensive game was his selling point coming out of high school, but that has sometimes led to poor shot selection.
In a sentence, Boston did not have a good freshman year at Kentucky. His shots weren’t falling, his thin frame made it difficult to take contact, and he struggled to adjust to the college level in general. So why pick him at all?
Raptors draft: Brandon Boston offers tons of potential.
Will Brandon Boston come in and light the NBA up as a rookie? No. Will he as a sophomore? No, but that’s not what you’re drafting for. In a year and a second round where you have multiple picks, why not take a swing on a guy that was at one point challenging for top of his class?
He’s a scoring wing with range and a handle. Does he have flaws? Of course, but that’s why teams have a training staff.
Get him in the weight room, let him get his reps with the 905, and see what he becomes. Maybe he’ll flame out. Maybe his high school highs were the peak of his basketball career, but if you’re Masai Ujiri, wouldn’t you at least like to see for yourself?