At DeSoto High School, Bolden supplied per-game averages of 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots as a senior,[2] helping his team win the Texas Class 6A state title, while earning Texas Mr. Basketball[3] and TABC 6A Player of the Year honors. He had eight points and five rebounds in the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic[4] and tallied 13 points as well as seven boards at the McDonald's All-American Game the same year.[5]
Bolden was ranked 8th overall in the 2016 high school class by Scout.com, 11th overall by Rivals and 16th overall by ESPN.[6][7][8] On May 19, 2016, Bolden committed to Duke, joining fellow five-star recruits Harry Giles III, Jayson Tatum and Frank Jackson.[9][10][11]
College career
Bolden had to sit out the first eight games of the 2016–17 season due to a leg injury,[12] before making his debut against Maine on December 3, 2016, scoring seven points and five rebounds.[13] He missed the NCAA Tournament due to illness[14] and averaged 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds (24 games) as a freshman.[15]
As a sophomore, Bolden averaged 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, playing behind Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III.[16] On June 25, 2018, coach Mike Krzyzewski said he thought he would be one of the best big men in the upcoming season.[17] As a junior in 2018–19, he saw action in 35 games (21 starts) with the Blue Devils, averaging 5.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game.[18] In April 2019, Bolden announced his participation in the 2019 NBA draft.[19]
Professional career
Cleveland Cavaliers / Canton / Cleveland Charge (2019–2021)
On January 30, 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they had signed Bolden to a 10-day contract.[23] Bolden was reported to have returned to the Canton Charge after the contract expired.[24]
On November 30, 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they had added Bolden,[25] and the contract was converted to a two-way contract on December 19.[26] On February 24, 2021, the Cavaliers waived Bolden,[27] and two days later on February 26, he was re-acquired by the Charge.[28]
Salt Lake City Stars (2021–2023)
On September 28, 2021, Bolden signed with the Utah Jazz.[29] He was waived prior to the start of the season and added to the roster of their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.[30]
On September 22, 2022, Bolden signed with the Milwaukee Bucks,[31][32] but was waived on October 16, prior to the start of the regular season.[33] Seven days later, he rejoined the Salt Lake City Stars.[34]
On January 25, 2023, Bolden was placed on the injured list, ending his season with the Stars.[35]
Milwaukee Bucks / Wisconsin Herd (2023–2024)
On October 2, 2023, Bolden once again signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[36] and on October 21, his deal was converted into a two-way contract.[37] On January 7, 2024, he was waived by the Bucks[38] and five days later, he joined the Wisconsin Herd.[39]
Charlotte Hornets / Greensboro Swarm (2024)
On February 20, 2024, Bolden signed a 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets[40] and on March 2, he signed a two-way contract.[41] He recorded his first career high at the last 2023–24 NBA season game winning against Cavaliers with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks and 1 steal over 30 minutes.[42] On July 3, he was waived by the Hornets.[43]
National team career
Playing at the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit, Bolden scored three points and pulled down two rebounds in 13 minutes of action for Team USA.[44] He attended a training camp of the 2017 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup Team but was cut before the start of the tournament.[45]
In July 2021, Bolden was naturalized into an Indonesian citizen. He helped the national team win its first ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal in 2022. In 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, he brought Indonesia for the qualification to quarter finals and he recorded statistical averages of highest minutes per game (38.0), highest efficiency per game (28.5), highest blocks per game (2.8), second highest points per game (21.8), third highest double-doubles (3), and fourth highest rebounds per game (11.3) among all participating players during the tournament.[46]
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