Bruce Bolden facts for kids
| Forward | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 30, 1963 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| High school | Flint Northwestern (Flint, Michigan) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 231 lb (105 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Boise State (1981–1985) |
| NBA Draft | 1985 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1985–2004 |
| Career history | |
| 1985 | Ulriken Elite |
| 1986 | Gippsland Lakers |
| 1987 | Eastside Spectres |
| 1988–1989 | Westside Saints |
| 1990–1991 | Eastside Spectres |
| 1992–1994 | South East Melbourne Magic |
| 1995–1998 | Sydney Kings |
| 1998–2003 | West Sydney Razorbacks |
| 2003–2004 | Albury Wodonga Bandits |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
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Bruce Bolden, born on November 30, 1963, is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He spent 17 years playing in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL). Bruce was a fantastic player who won an NBL championship in 1992 with the South East Melbourne Magic. He was even named the NBL Grand Final Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NBL Grand Final that year! He was also known for being a great rebounder and was named the NBL Best Sixth Man in 1999. After his long career, Bruce continued to help young basketball players.
Contents
Bruce Bolden: A Basketball Journey
Bruce Bolden started his basketball journey in the United States. He played college basketball for Boise State from 1981 to 1985. After college, he was drafted in the 1985 NBA draft. However, Bruce soon found his true home in Australia.
Playing Career in Australia
Bruce Bolden became a star in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia. He played for many different teams during his 17 years there.
- In 1992, Bruce helped the South East Melbourne Magic win the NBL championship. He was so good in the final game that he was named the NBL Grand Final MVP. This means he was the best player in the championship series!
- He was also recognized as one of the best players in the league. He was named to the All-NBL Second Team four times, from 1990 to 1993.
- In 1993, Bruce led the entire league in rebounding. This means he grabbed more missed shots than anyone else.
- Later in his career, in 1999, he was named the NBL Best Sixth Man. This award goes to a player who comes off the bench and makes a big impact on the game.
Bruce played his last NBL season in 2003 with the West Sydney Razorbacks. His jersey number, 32, was the first number ever to be retired by the Razorbacks. This is a huge honor, meaning no other player on that team will ever wear number 32 again. He finished his playing career in 2004 with the Albury Wodonga Bandits in the Australian Basketball Association.
Life After Basketball
After retiring as a player, Bruce Bolden continued to be involved in basketball. He started a coaching service called MyHoops in Australia. This program helps young players, aged 7 to 18, improve their basketball skills.
Bruce also shares his knowledge and experience on the Aussie Hoopla podcast. He often appears as a guest, giving advice to young players who want to reach an elite level. He also shares his thoughts on the sport of basketball in Australia.
Family and Legacy
Bruce Bolden's son, Jonah Bolden, has also become a professional basketball player. Jonah played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. After college, he played professionally in Serbia and Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In 2017, Jonah was drafted into the NBA by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the 36th player picked in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft. It's clear that basketball talent runs in the Bolden family!
