Measurables: 6’10”, 7’2” wingspan, 227 lbs, 21.4 years old
Strengths
- Big time athlete, both leaper and quick in transition
- Intriguing ball skills in open floor – great ball handling and passing vision for his size
- Aggressive on boards
- Really good feet on perimeter against guards
- Great feet/activity level on defense
- Leaper who can finish over/through defenses
- Not afraid of contact around rim
- Phenomenal combination of size and athleticism
- Big transition weapon thanks to athleticism + trailer 3 point ability
- Does not lack confidence on the offensive end
- Rare combo of rebounding, 3 point shooting, and explosiveness
- Extremely explosive, rises up in traffic
- Adriatic League Best Young Player: 2014 Dario Saric, 2015 Nikola Jokic, 2016 Ante Zizic, 2017 Jonah Bolden (good track record)
- Great finisher thanks to explosiveness/length
- Great range/high release on jumper
- Almost 42% from 3 on over 100 attempts
- Has NBA range on 3 point shot – gets the ball out quickly
- Can shoot over defenders thanks to phenomenal size
Weaknesses
- Low production during season at UCLA
- Has problems with turning the ball over
- Needs to tighten handle
- Loses his man on screens – needs to play smarter
- Needs to add strength on both ends – not yet a great rim protector
- Questionable motor on defensive boards
- Poor free throw shooter – 59% – questions about jumper mechanics?
- May be better at PF even though he wants to play SF
- Struggled with consistency with Radnicki
- Gets into foul trouble more than he should – 4.3 PF/40
- Jumper has been inconsistent – 32.4% 3 point in Serbian league, 41.9% in Adriatic league
- Hasn’t gotten many games against draft competition – how does he stack up against this class?
- Inconsistent motor on defense, will dive for ball but then watch rest of play
- Chases blocks too much instead of properly rotating
- Will turn 22 during rookie season
Overall
- Bolden has really come on strong the last couple months playing in the Adriatic League for Radnicki Basket. His game is inconsistent, but when his 3 point shot is falling (41.9% in Adriatic League) he’s an incredibly dangerous player. His stroke combined with his physical tools and intriguing ball skills should have him firmly planted in the first round. He’s a bit older than you’d like but he’s gonna be a really good player thanks to his motor, athleticism, and stroke. Guys with as much athleticism, size, and shooting ability as Bolden aren’t a dime a dozen. If he can get his turnovers under control, iron out the issues in his stroke, and refine his game a little, he’s got potential to be a monster. Studs like Nikola Jokic have come out of the Adriatic League in recent years, and Bolden could be next in line.
- TAGS
- 2017 NBA Draft
- Jonah Bolden
- Radnicki Basket
- Scouting Report
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