NCAA News Wire

Elite UCLA recruit ruled ineligible

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
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The NCAA on Friday ruled that UCLA freshman Jonah Bolden, an Australian native, is academically ineligible and will not be allowed to play in games this season.

UCLA said the NCAA ruled Bolden a partial qualifier, which allows him to remain on scholarship and practice with the team. The decision is final and there is no appeal process.

The 6-foot-9 power forward is part of an elite recruiting class assembled by coach Steve Alford.

According to sources, the NCAA issued its ruling because Bolden left Australia after his senior season had already begun to attend a Las Vegas prep school, and then finished his high school in New Hampshire, ESPN reported.

UCLA was in need of reinforcements after last season’s 28-9 campaign. The Bruins lost three of their top four scorers to the NBA Draft, Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

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