Sixers select Jonah Bolden with 36th pick, trade the 39th pick to the Clippers

With their first pick in the 2nd round, the 76ers take a flyer on forward Jonah Bolden

At 6’10”, 230 pounds with a 7’3″ wingspan, the 21-year-old Bolden has the physical makeup of a prototypical NBA power forward.

After redshirting his freshman year at UCLA, Bolden struggled to find any kind of success as a sophomore in 2015/16. While he averaged over 21 minutes per game, his 4.6 ppg 4.8 rebounds per 1.1 assists per game and 41% shooting was quite unimpressive.

Deciding to turn pro, Jonah Bolden spent the 2016/17 season playing for the Serbian team KK FMP Belgrade and worked to refine his game.

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Bolden was able to drastically improve his shooting from behind the arc. Improving his 3p% from 25 at UCLA to an impressive 42 this past season. His stat-line also greatly improved as he boasted 13-7-2-1-1 on 48% shooting.

Like fellow Sixers teamate Dario Saric and rising star Nikola Jokic, Jonah Bolden was named rookie of the year for the Adriatic Basketball Association.

A league that ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla says,

"is “one of the mid level leagues in Europe” adding that “if the best team in the Adriatic played UNC 10 times, they would probably win six games and UNC would win four”."

Jonah Bolden has all the tools needed to succeed in the NBA. For him to make an all-of-a-sudden-crowded Sixers roster, he will have to show he can shoot consistently and defend multiple positions. But there should be no surprise if he winds up on their opening day roster.

The Sixers take Oklahoma St guard Jawun Evans with the 39th pick.

However, they have agreed to trade the pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash, per David Aldridge.