NBA Draft 2021: BJ Boston, Evan Mobley among top California prospects

The state of California has become a hotbed for NCAA basketball talent. Which guys should you keep a close eye on for the 2021 NBA Draft?

The state of California 2020 NCAA Basketball recruiting class, may be better than any of the classes that came before it. Spearheaded by top three recruits Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, the Golden State has five five-star prospects and nine four-stars.

In part one of a two-part series, let’s break down some of the best prospects in California. This week, I’ll be focusing on the top seniors from Sierra Canyon and Rancho Christian

*all measurements are from the school’s official website

Brandon (B.J.) Boston Jr.- Kentucky – 6’7 – 181 lbs – November 2001

B.J. Boston is a joy to watch and an electric scorer. Playing on a loaded Sierra Canyon team, Boston put up 19.7 points per game as the Blazers went 30-4. In the Nike EYBL, Boston was one of the top scorers at 22.8 points per game.

Boston can score with ease at all three levels. He’s got a pure jumper with NBA range and can make tough shots off the dribble.

For someone his size, Boston has a really tight handle. He’s deceptive with his dribble and uses his long strides to get to the rim. At the rim, Boston is a very good finisher. Despite lacking some strength, he’s got insane body control and knows how to contort his body around defenders.

Boston still has room to grow on offense, especially as a playmaker. When he drives, his tendency is to shoot and he sometimes misses open teammates. His shot selection is also iffy at times. Boston can make tough shots, but they aren’t always in the offense’s best interest.

When Boston locks in, he can be a very good defender. He uses his length to rotate for steals and blocks, although he likes to gamble. He fell asleep in some of the games I watched, but I don’t think he has a bad motor.

Boston is inheriting a clean slate at Kentucky. Every key rotation player from last season except for Keion Brooks is gone, so Boston will need to score. He won’t be alone though as he’s joined by fellow top recruits Terrance Clarke, Devin Askew, and Isaiah Jackson. In a tough SEC, the Wildcats will need Boston to be elite if they want to win another conference title.

From an NBA Draft perspective, Boston appears to be the next Kentucky player who will be a lottery pick. Shooting is prioritized in the league, and that’s where Boston excels. Early mock drafts see him as a mid-lottery guy, but I am high on Boston and have him as my No. 3 prospect in the 2021 draft.

NBA Draft Projection: 2021 Lottery