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UCLA Basketball: Forward Jonah Bolden To Go Pro

ByAshley Tellier|
Feb 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) celebrates a basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Bruins won 78-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) celebrates a basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Bruins won 78-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The UCLA Basketball team loses yet another player before the beginning of the 2016-2017 season as Jonah Bolden is leaving UCLA to return to Australia to play professionally.

Sources are reporting that UCLA Basketball forward Jonah Bolden will forego his last two years of eligibility and go pro.

Related Story: The UCLA Basketball Roster Is Quickly Thinning Out

Although the reasons for Bolden’s departure have not been confirmed, sources have indicated that he may have left the program due to academic reasons.

Bolden, a potential starter for the UCLA Basketball team this upcoming season, played in 31 games last season, including 11 starts. He averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game.

The loss of Bolden could be significant for the Bruins in terms of roster depth. Bolden would be the fourth player the Bruins lose before the start of the 2016-2017 season after the team lost Noah Allen (transferred to Hawaii), Kobe Paras (withdrew due to academic concerns), and Prince Ali (torn left meniscus).

Mar 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) guards UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Oregon won 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Chris Boucher (25) guards UCLA Bruins guard Jonah Bolden (43) in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Oregon won 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Bruins do have exciting freshmen joining the team and seasoned veterans returning, the loss of players is concerning for a team that has continuously struggled with roster depth in the Steve Alford era. And to make matters worse, we are still three months away from the first game of the season—more injuries or withdrawals could happen before then.

Losing another player due to academics might be frustrating to some UCLA fans, but let’s not forget that our UCLA players are, after all, student-athletes.

This is something the coaching staff should keep in mind in order to assist the players accordingly, especially at a school such as UCLA, which has higher academic standards compared to other big name schools in the nation.

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But for now, we will just have to hope and cross our fingers that we do not lose another player before the Bruins even play their first game of the season.

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