Jonah Bolden, a top freshman recruit out of Australia, will not play for UCLA this season after having just been declared ineligible by the NCAA. UCLA made the announcement on Friday.
This development, just weeks before practice officially starts, has put the Bruins and coach Steve Alford in a slight quandary. UCLA is already looking to replace departed players Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine, all of whom declared for the NBA Draft last April.
Bolden, a 6-9 forward, was to step in and fill the gaps, but he fell prey to NCAA qualifying rules.
"The NCAA has ruled that...Bolden is a partial qualifier, and as such, will not be able to compete for the men's basketball team this season," UCLA said in a statement. "The ruling allows for Bolden to continue on athletic scholarship."
It appears that Bolden will eventually be able to practice with the team throughout the season.
Bolden’s ineligibility arose from his unusual senior season of basketball, which began in Australia. From there, Bolden made his way to Findlay Prep in Las Vegas before ending in New Hampshire at Brewster Academy. The NCAA did not believe Bolden’s travels warranted full qualifier status.
UCLA, which won the Pac-12 championship last season, will begin the 2014-15 campaign without a proven rotation. Bolden was expected to contribute to the Bruins right away. The Bruins will rely on two other freshmen, Kevon Looney and Thomas Welsh, to carry the load.