UCLA is in the unusual position of losing a scholarship player at the end of July -- to the professional basketball market.
Jonah Bolden, who averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 boards for UCLA last season, is headed to Australia to pursue playing basketball for a paycheck.
"Jonah Bolden has informed the coaching staff that he has opted to play professionally this season and will forgo his final two years of eligibility," UCLA said in a statement.
Bolden played just one year with UCLA. He could have been a starter for the Bruins in 2016-17, but it's also possible his role on offense would be diminished, as the Bruins have a number of terrific offensive players for the year ahead. Bolden was one of the three best defenders UCLA had, though, and probably could have averaged more than six rebounds per game in the season ahead. But no more. Now UCLA, a preseason top 20 team, will have to adapt -- or accept winning games in the mid-to-high 80s on most nights.
