By Bilal Baran Yardımcı/ info@eurohoops.net
Brandon Boston Jr. opened up on several topics in an interview with Eurohoops, including how former teammate CJ McCollum inspired his decision to sign with Fenerbahce Beko.
“I feel amazing,” he said during the preseason Media Day, talking about early adjustments at the defending EuroLeague champions, “A new opportunity, new chapter in my life, so I just attack change and challenges head on, pray every day, and just go out there and be myself.”
“I tell myself, get 1% better every day. So, as long as I’m getting better every day, step by step, taking it easy, but attacking it with a mindset of being the best every day that I can be, that’s all I can do,” he added, “Control what I control.”
The conversation went into his interest in the film industry, but still ended up in his basketball career.
“First, I wanna get my own story out first. Let the people know where I come from, how I lived every day on a day-to-day basis, and how my mind works, so stuff like that, just real-life situations, people that can relate to my story and relate to other stories,” the 23-year-old winger told Eurohoops.
“I don’t think I could be stopped”
From a lasting bond with high-school teammates to being drafted with the 51st pick in 2021 and spending large chunks of his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers in the G League, the summer signing of Fener ended up with the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 10.7 points per game over 42 appearances in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
“In my first three years, I didn’t really play with the Clippers because I was behind Kawhi [Leonard] and PG [Paul George]. So just having the opportunity to play, I feel like anytime I get the opportunity to play, I’m gonna showcase my game, and I don’t think I could be stopped,” he warned.
“It helped a lot,” he described building relationships with experienced players at the Pelicans, “Having those conversations with Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Zion [Williamson], Brandon Ingram, me and him really connected well right away. Just having those guys accept me and welcome me with open arms was really good for my growth.”
From McCollums to Fenerbahce
In the 2025-26 journey, his next step is with the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius, defending continental and domestic championships.
“Everybody tells me it’s a different game. I have to adjust, which I see is different rotations, different playcalls, different playstyle, and defense first. So, I’m coming to adjust,” he also talked about the differences between NBA and European basketball.
“My connection with the coach has been real,” Boston replied to a question about Saras, “He always holds me accountable, holds me to a high standard, so I can respect that. He has a passion for the game, but he also comes at it from a good place. So, he wants me to be the best I could be and just keep growing as the year goes on.”
Returning to CJ McCollum and his older brother Errick on the 2024-25 championship-winning Fenerbahce roster, the Georgia native revealed discussions inspiring his move to the Turkish club.
“Just having those conversations with those guys really helped me a lot with my decision,” he said.