Saturday, January 31, 2015

UCLA freshman Jonah Bolden cleared to practice by NCAA






Los Angeles Times
Jan 26 2015


UCLA freshman Jonah Bolden has been cleared by the NCAA to begin practicing with the Bruins, the team announced. Bolden had been ineligible to play or practice with the team after the NCAA ruled him a partial-qualifier before the season. Bolden will still be unable to play this season.

Bolden, who can play guard or forward, was a consensus four-star recruit who could have added needed depth to UCLA’s roster this season. Bolden will be a sophomore next season and will have three more years of eligibility, though he can petition the NCAA for a fourth year.

The eligibility issues stem from Bolden’s senior season in high school. Bolden, who is from Australia, went to Findlay Prep in Las Vegas for his senior year. He stayed at Findlay until December, when he left for Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.




Jonah Bolden debuts at UCLA practice, talks future



By RYAN KARTJE / STAFF WRITER
OC Register
Jan 27 2015

LOS ANGELES -- After finally being cleared to join UCLA practice this week, freshman Jonah Bolden practiced in front of the media for the first time on Tuesday, showing off a smooth jumper that -- due to eligibility issues -- won’t be seen in an actual game until next season.
While he waited this winter for the NCAA to clear him to practice, Bolden said he worked on honing his guard skills, in hopes of making a smooth transition from the 4 to the 3 next season. Still lanky and thin, he said he hopes to be stronger by then, too.
The question still remains, though, whether Bolden, who was quickly rising up draft boards before being deemed ineligible, may skip that next season entirely. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-9 Australian wing was asked for the first time about his future.
“Most definitely my goal is to get to the NBA,” Bolden said, “but my main priority right now is here at UCLA.”

 



Jonah Bolden (wearing #13) highlights with the Australian National Team

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