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Chief Rum · 06-19-2017, 10:54 PM

Bolden is interesting. As a UCLA fan, I can tell you that, if he has developed a consistent outside shot, he did it last year in Europe. He didn't have that at UCLA.

He left UCLA, frankly, because the academics proved too tough. His people determined it would help him more to pull out of school and go to Europe where he could focus on just basketball. He had already done a redshirt season at UCLA where he tried to get his academics in order, and contrary to some other strong academics blue blood schools (UNC, I am looking in your general direction), UCLA does very little to help its athletes stay on top of their academics.

In the 2015-16 season, Bolden was a raw offensive player who made a strong impact defensively with his length and seemed to be developing as the season went by. When he chose last summer to leave school, it was considered a big blow, as it was thought he and Leaf would be neck and neck for the starting PF job and that Bolden's length and athleticism might allow him to play some at the 3 (which Leaf couldn't do). UCLA ended up okay, of course, since Leaf ended up being very good offensively as a freshman, but it would have been nice to have seen Bolden there too.

06-19-2017, 10:54 PM	#38
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Bolden is interesting. As a UCLA fan, I can tell you that, if he has developed a consistent outside shot, he did it last year in Europe. He didn't have that at UCLA. He left UCLA, frankly, because the academics proved too tough. His people determined it would help him more to pull out of school and go to Europe where he could focus on just basketball. He had already done a redshirt season at UCLA where he tried to get his academics in order, and contrary to some other strong academics blue blood schools (UNC, I am looking in your general direction), UCLA does very little to help its athletes stay on top of their academics. In the 2015-16 season, Bolden was a raw offensive player who made a strong impact defensively with his length and seemed to be developing as the season went by. When he chose last summer to leave school, it was considered a big blow, as it was thought he and Leaf would be neck and neck for the starting PF job and that Bolden's length and athleticism might allow him to play some at the 3 (which Leaf couldn't do). UCLA ended up okay, of course, since Leaf ended up being very good offensively as a freshman, but it would have been nice to have seen Bolden there too. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.