2024 NBA Draft: Evaluating Arizona's Kylan Boswell
Kylan Boswell was the youngest player in college basketball last season, when he finished his freshman year at only 17 years old. Boswell is now 18 and having an impressive sophomore season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard is one of the more intriguing undersized prospects in this class and has a unique feel for the game for a player of his age.
Offensively, Boswell is an elite playmaker in the pick-and-roll and passer in transition. Only around 47.6% of his made field goals this season have been assisted and he's assisting on almost 21% of his teammates' field goals while on the floor. Combine this creation ability with shooting a respectable 38% on dribble jumpers in the midrange (24 attempts) and 48% on catch-and-shoot threes (42 attempts) and you've got a dangerous offensive threat for the Wildcats.
Defensively, being undersized poses a hurdle that impacts Boswell's on-ball defense. However, he's quite skilled in two of the microskills he can control: screen navigation and off-ball defensive event creation.
Offense
Transition Passing
Let's start with the areas in which Boswell could provide the most value offensively to an NBA team: passing and pick-and-roll playmaking. The Champaign, IL native is a very skilled passer, capable of starting transition offense with pinpoint passing.
Below are clips of exactly this, mixed with a few halfcourt passes that illustrate some connective and post-entry passing.
Pick-And-Roll Playmaking
Next is Boswell's pick-and-roll playmaking, an area that jumps out on film despite being in only the 35th percentile in pick-and-roll (plus passes) possessions. His use of hostage dribbles and manipulation of the defense with his eyes both show the NBA-level feel mentioned earlier. Additionally, he's shown flashes of making these passes off of a live dribble with either hand.
Dribble Jumpers
With Boswell having the feel and passing ability to be a threat to create for others out of the pick-and-roll, this leads to the question of whether Boswell can score for himself out of the pick-and-roll. He's balanced, has sound footwork, a fluid energy transfer, and can get into his dribble jumper quickly out of the pick-and-roll.
Additionally, Boswell is shooting 33.3% on dribble jumpers beyond the arc (36 attempts) and 37.5% on midrange dribble jumpers (24 attempts). While both numbers are adequate, especially the midrange percentage, it's important that his overall dribble jumper efficiency slightly increases due to his lack of rim attempts and finishing percentage. For context, Boswell is converting 48% of his attempts at the rim this season and only has 27 attempts in that area thus far. These potential increases in dribble jumper percentages are very realistic, as he finished 41% on midrange dribble jumpers (22 attempts) and also 41% on three-point dribble jumpers (46 attempts) just last season.
What is the significance of all of this for Boswell? Continuing to improve his efficiency on dribble jumpers will give him something to lean on in the in-between game of the pick-and-roll when faced with drop coverage and it will force defenders to go over on screens. Developing a floater would also be a useful addition due to the lack of rim attempts as well. Due to last year's numbers, the process he's shown through his fluidity, balance, and footwork of his dribble jumpers so far, I believe dribble jumpers will be a reliable component of Boswell's potential NBA game.
Driving & Getting to the Rim off Pick-And-Roll and the Perimeter
While Boswell's lack of attempts at the rim and low percentage at the rim may be a cause for concern, the question of whether or not he can get to the rim, either in the pick-and-roll or on drives from the perimeter (excluding attacking closeouts), is up for debate. He's shown flashes of quick drives, concise handles, and even crafty finishes at the rim. If these flashes turn into consistent production, Boswell's potential value on the offensive end would increase even further.
In the pick-and-roll, for example, Boswell has shown an impressive change of pace at times as well to get a layup.
Catch-And-Shoot Threes
If Boswell becomes enough of an on-ball offensive threat in the NBA, his off-ball offensive game is already extremely sound. He's shooting 48% on catch-and-shoot threes this season (42 attempts), which includes shooting 58% on guarded catch-and-shoot threes (12 attempts). The Wildcat has a quick release and shot prep, and his relocation ability is also evident in a few of the clips below.
Defense
On-Ball Defense
Naturally, Boswell will be at a disadvantage defensively in the NBA due to being undersized. However, his 200-pound frame shines through on a few clips as does his flashes of sound technique.
Below are two examples where Boswell slides his feet well, keeps his hand up, and uses his chest to deter drivers.
Other times, however, Boswell will get beat on-ball due to opening up his hips and letting up a driving angle or not being able to stay with his man.
Interestingly enough, out of the handful of games I watched, there wasn't a play where his lack of size was the reason for giving up an advantage. As mentioned above, his 200-pound frame allows for a certain level of strength that may just help him survive on the defensive end on-ball.
Screen Navigation
The sophomore guard's screen navigation technique adds defensive value, as he does his best to minimize contact by closing the gap of space between himself and the ball-handler or getting his lead foot around the screener.
Off-Ball Defense
As mentioned in the introduction, Boswell is a skilled screen navigator and is active off-ball defensively.
Off-Ball Defensive Activity
Boswell is active off-ball in passing lanes and is disruptive in driving lanes with stunts. This shows up statistically as well, as he's recorded a 3.0 steal percentage so far this season.
The only other aspect of Boswell's off-ball defensive game to note is that he will naturally not cover as much ground as a longer guard or wing at a similar position — again something out of his control but impacts the overall team's ground coverage.
Conclusion
As of right now, Kylan Boswell projects as a primary ball-handler who can initiate offense as a pick-and-roll playmaker and passer in transition. NBA defenses will also have to respect his catch-and-shoot ability, which allows him to help space the floor when out there.
Additionally, he's a skilled shooter off-the-dribble who can punish defenses that play in drop-off the pick-and-roll. Something to watch is his limited rim attempts and current finishing numbers, as this could limit his ability to be a true three-level pick-and-roll threat and complete primary initiator.
Defensively, he faces the expected limitations of an undersized guard, but he's physical, has shown flashes of sound technique on-ball, and makes an impact in the areas he can control. Throughout the rest of the season, I'll be looking for more evidence of point-of-attack defense which would also help his draft stock.
Most Likely Outcome (Summary of Conclusion):
Pass-first backup primary ball-handler and limited point-of-attack defender (but can offer some defensive value with off-ball passing lane steals and stunts)
What could land him out of the NBA:
Lack of ability to initiate or create rim pressure without a screen, lack of finishing at the rim, lack of a floater, undersized defensively
What could land him in the NBA for a long career:
Elite pick-and-roll playmaking, transition passing, catch-and-shoot ability, if he improved his weaknesses or inefficiencies (creating rim pressure without a screen, finishing at the rim, dribble jumpers), and passing lane steals
Current Grade: Mid Second-Round Pick (Picks 41-50)
All play-by-play data courtesy of Synergy Sports