Boston College has added another big piece to its 2027 recruiting class, landing four-star small forward Elijah Paez just weeks before the Eagles open the 2026-27 season Tuesday night at Conte Forum against Wagner.
Paez, listed as a four-star prospect by ESPN, 247Sports, and On3, picked BC over a crowded group that included TCU, Washington, DePaul, Saint Louis, UConn, Xavier, and Cal. The 6-foot-5 wing from Iowa United Prep in Des Moines, Iowa, becomes the second major recruit in Boston College’s class of 2027 and another notable win for first-year head coach Luke Murray.
Paez said the fit with Murray and the program was the biggest reason he ended up in Chestnut Hill.
“BC felt like the right fit for me as a player and as a person. Coach Murray believes in what I can bring to the program, and I’m excited about the opportunity to come in, compete, and help build something special.
The visit was a huge part of my decision. The campus was beautiful.
It almost felt like being in Europe with the architecture. Getting around the staff and seeing their vision in-person made it easier to see myself at BC.
I would say the biggest factor in my decision was the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a freshman. Being on the court my freshman year was my ultimate goal. I get that opportunity at BC.”
Murray’s background also carried weight with the recruit, who pointed to the coach’s energy and his time at UConn.
“What stood out was his energy, his basketball knowledge, and how clear he was about his vision for the program. His experience helping build a championship program at UConn meant a lot to me because he understands the work and the standards it takes to win.
Our conversations helped me understand how I could contribute and where I need to keep growing. I felt like he believed in my potential while also being ready to challenge me. That combination was a big part of my decision.”
On the floor, Paez described himself as a “high-motor, two-way wing” who wants to defend, play physical, and make winning plays. He also said his main development goals are tightening his handles and becoming a more reliable three-point shooter, while also improving his quickness against smaller guards.
“I’d describe myself as a high-motor, two-way wing. I take pride in defending, playing physical, making smart decisions, and doing the things that help a team win. I want to bring energy every possession and be someone my coaches and teammates can count on.
This season, my biggest focus is becoming a more consistent offensive threat, especially with my handles and three-point shooting. I want to keep expanding my defensive game by getting quicker feet around smaller guards.”
Paez said he did not grow up following Boston College, but he has since learned about the program’s history, including the strong teams it had in the Big East. That history, he said, is part of what makes the opportunity appealing.
“I didn’t grow up following BC, so I don’t have a specific childhood memory of watching them. But I’ve learned about the program’s history and how strong those BC teams were in the Big East.
That’s something I want to help bring back -the excitement, the winning, and the pride around BC basketball. Being part of a group that helps create that next chapter means a lot to me.”
For BC fans, Paez says the message is simple: he plans to earn everything.
“You’re getting someone who’s going to work for everything. I’ve always believed in myself and kept putting in the work, and that won’t change when I get to BC. I care about winning, I’m willing to be coached, and I’ll give everything I have for my teammates and this program.”
In Other News...
Boston Colleges Opener Raised An Early Concern Fans Cant Ignore
Boston Colleges womens basketball season opened with a result the Eagles would rather not have on the record, as Holy Cross walked out with a 64-54 win and the early tone of the night was set by BCs uneven offense. The Eagles had trouble finding a rhythm from the floor and never really settled in, while Holy Cross looked more connected from the start and carried that edge through the game.
Coach Kate Popovec-Goss pointed to the Crusaders chemistry and to Boston Colleges execution issues after halftime, which is where the concern starts to feel bigger than one bad opener. The second half exposed the kind of slippage that can haunt a team if it lingers, and for an Eagles group trying to establish itself early, the next step is figuring out whether this was just a rough first night or the first sign of a deeper problem. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Brings A Dangerous Midseason Formula Into Florida State
Boston College heads into Saturdays matchup with Florida State at Alumni Stadium riding a formula that has kept it competitive through the first half of the season. The Eagles have leaned on a defense that has made life difficult for opponents, and the numbers through eight games show a unit that has been especially disruptive while the offense has done enough to keep the team in position most weeks. The game will air on ACC Network, with radio coverage on WEEI 93.7 FM.
A key part of that balance has been getting healthier at the right time, and one of the more encouraging developments came at Duke when Kaelan Chudzinski was back in the starting lineup after missing the first seven games with an injury. His return adds another layer to a roster that has been piecing together answers as the schedule toughens, and now the question is whether Boston College can carry that midseason rhythm into a home date with a Florida State team that will force the Eagles to keep playing clean, efficient football. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Volleyball Has A Real Chance To Keep Climbing In ACC Play
Boston College volleyball heads into a double-header against Syracuse with a little more confidence than it had a week ago. The Eagles have strung together wins over Virginia Tech and Virginia, and those results have helped reinforce the idea that this group is settling in as one of the ACCs more dangerous teams, with Audrey Ross and Brooklyn Yelland playing central roles in the recent surge.
Syracuse still presents a tricky test, especially with Boston College carrying a long-term series deficit, but the recent head-to-head history has tilted the other way. Add in the fact that the Eagles and several of their players are showing up near the top of the conference in key categories, and this feels like the kind of stretch that could tell us a lot about how far Boston College can keep climbing in ACC play. [Read more 🡒]