Isaac
Years ago
Australian forward Jonah Bolden has withdrawn from UCLA, the school announced.Full story
The 20-year-old will sign a one-year deal with a European club, before entering his name in the 2017 NBA Draft, sources told foxsports.com.au.
spot up
Years ago
Interesting option...not sure how it will pan out for him either!
LC
Years ago
Hearing he was not going to be eligible to play due to academics.
AngusH
Years ago
No idea what he was supposed to be studying, but if he went to college solely to audition for the NBA, there's no excuse for not getting the grades you need considering the mickey mouse-level classes available to you.
LC
Years ago
Here is more on Bolden I have been able to source to try and pull the entire scenario together.
Jonah Bolden leaves UCLA to turn pro, eyes 2017 NBA Draft
Covers his original NCAA ineligibility that saw him have to sit out his first year at UCLA (for a similar issue to Gorjok Gak), through to what appears to be his imminent academic ineligibility for next season.
LC
Years ago
Still unsure. Olgun likely is closer to the source, so he may be on the money with his call of Europe.
Benno
Years ago
I'd back Olgun any day of the week but some good sources from the states on twitter saying opposite would be cool to see him back in AUS
Benno
Years ago
https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiting/news/uclas-bolden-leaving-to-play-professionally-in-australia/191838896
who in australia still has roster spots and in need of a sf/pf at this point? Would he be better than a 3rd import? would he take the money on offer in australia even as he'd likely get more in europe
paul
Years ago
I'm not sure he'd get much in Europe, there are far far more credentialed Americans vying for the same spots. At least here he has value as a local and a potential marketing tool.
LC
Years ago
I am hearing that Olgun's original call of Bolden heading to Europe is on the money.
Wookiee
Years ago
A shame that he's headed to Europe, it would have been nice to see him on the court in his dads old colours and I think could have allowed him to stand out a bit more as well... I guess with his goal of going to the NBA next year, it might not have been worth it long term for an NBL team compared to being able to have them stick around for 2 or 3 seasons...
Agree with AngusH though that if his focus was on auditioning for the NBA, even with the initial sitting out stuff, there's really no decent excuse for not making the grades needed to get by as a student athlete...
Benno
Years ago
Listened to podcast with UCLA assistant coach who said he believes Jonah will head back home even started talking about where his dad played
Jimmy Needles
Years ago
That is certainly disappointing news, and not just because I was looking forward to watch Jonah play for UCLA against Sydney Uni next month. This move will likely hurt his shot at the NBA.
You need to be a registered user to post from this location. Register here.
Advertise on Hoops to a very focused, local and sports-keen audience. Email for rates and options.
An Australian basketball forum covering NBL, WNBL, ABL, Juniors plus NBA, WNBA, NZ, Europe, etc | Forum time is: 4:34 am, Wed 24 Apr 2024 | Posts: 968,026 | Last 7 days: 754
