Klairus Amir
October 28, 2023
Jonah Bolden
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 2/1/96
- Place of Birth: Melbourne (VIC)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Sydney
- College: UCLA (2014–2016)
- NBL DEBUT: 30/09/23
- AGE AT DEBUT: 27
- LAST NBL GAME: 5/02/25
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Sydney 2024-25
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Jonah Anthony Bolden was born in Melbourne and raised in Sydney where he began playing basketball for the Bankstown Bruins at five years of age.
As a teenager, he attended Homebush Boys High School and was first selected to represent his home state of New South Wales at the 2013 Basketball Australia Under 18 National Championships. Bolden led the NSW Metro state team to the national final by averaging 18 ppg and 13 rpg throughout the competition.
In August 2013, he relocated to the United States to play as a senior at Findlay College Prep, a private preparatory school in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. However, his high school eligibility expired after his first semester and he transferred midseason to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
FAMILY:
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jonah Bolden made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 27 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.
Jonah Bolden joined the Sydney Kings on a one-year deal, marking his return to professional basketball three years after leaving the sport to pursue a career in cryptocurrency with his firm, Bolden Ventures. At the time of his signing, Bolden had not played professionally since his stint with the Phoenix Suns in 2020. Sydney faced a major roster overhaul ahead of NBL24, with key players heading to the NBA, including reigning MVP Xavier Cooks and DJ Vasiljevic to the Washington Wizards. Coach Chase Buford also departed to explore NBA opportunities, eventually joining the Milwaukee Bucks. Imports Derrick Walton Jr., Justin Simon, and Tim Soares moved overseas, leaving Jordan Hunter as the only returning starter from the championship-winning squad.
To rebuild, the Kings welcomed back former MVP Jaylen Adams from Europe, alongside new imports DJ Hogg (via Cairns), Denzel Valentine, and Bolden, who re-entered the basketball world after a four-year absence. The team was now led by G-League championship coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, replacing Buford. Despite the significant changes, Sydney was still considered a top contender for the title.
After ten games, Sydney held a 7-3 record, placing them second on the ladder, with losses only to Tasmania (twice) and Cairns. This strong start was achieved even with key players like DJ Hogg (who missed the first half of the season) and Jaylin Galloway sidelined by injuries.
From Round 8, however, the Kings’ performance took a downturn, struggling defensively and allowing 100 points on nine different occasions. They slipped in form and finished the season as one of the league’s weakest defensive teams.
The Kings’ success was largely driven by the pick-and-roll play of Adams (19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Hunter (10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks). Bolden contributed solidly with 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, putting up strong games but understandably spent most of the season working to regain his basketball form. Denzel Valentine (12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) and DJ Hogg (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks), however, fell short of expectations, particularly in defensive contributions. Sydney ultimately ended the season in fifth place and failed to progress past the play-in qualifiers, losing to New Zealand.
Despite the team’s struggles, standout seasons from rookie Alex Toohey (8 points and 4.0 rebounds), Kouat Noi (10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) who narrowly missed out on the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award, and Jaylin Galloway (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) offered hope for the future, showcasing individual talent and potential.
Bolden’s season highlight came in a game against Perth, where he posted 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block, shooting an impressive 10/12 from the field and 7/8 from beyond the arc. He also scored 16 points, with 6 rebounds and 1 block on 6/8 shooting, including 4/5 from three-point range, in an 18-minute stint during a loss to Melbourne.
Jonah Bolden currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers and has played 52 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 7.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists since entering the league in 2023.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
New Zealand Breakers – 1 Year Deal (2024-25)
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 29 | New Zealand | 10-19 (9) | 24 | 273.0 | 144 | 138 | 30 | 110 | 28 | 14 | 12 | 25 | 62 | 55 | 128 | 43% | 22 | 81 | 27% | 12 | 20 | 60% | 52% | 52% | 11 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | Sydney | 13-15 (5) | 28 | 504.0 | 238 | 178 | 32 | 61 | 117 | 22 | 19 | 34 | 82 | 86 | 181 | 48% | 35 | 92 | 38% | 31 | 50 | 62% | 58% | 57% | 28 | Totals | 52 | 777 | 382 | 316 | 62 | 171 | 145 | 36 | 31 | 59 | 144 | 141 | 309 | 45.6% | 57 | 173 | 32.9% | 43 | 70 | 61.4% | 56% | 55% | 28 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 29 | New Zealand | 10-19 (9) | 24 | 11.4 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 5.3 | 43% | 0.9 | 3.4 | 27% | 0.5 | 0.8 | 60% | 52% | 52% | 11 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | Sydney | 13-15 (5) | 28 | 18.0 | 8.5 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 48% | 1.3 | 3.3 | 38% | 1.1 | 1.8 | 62% | 58% | 57% | 28 | Total | 52 | 14.9 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 45.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 32.9% | 1.1 | 3.3 | 61.4% | 56% | 55% | 28 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 28 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
At 17 years of age, after his outstanding performance in the national championships in 2023, Bolden was selected to represent Australia at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championships, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. He played in eight of the nine games that Australia competed in, averaging 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds while playing 10.1 minutes per game.
Bolden was a part of the Australian Boomers team that played against USA at Marvel Stadium in 2019 but left the team afterwards and was replaced by David Barlow.
He also played for the Australia national under-19 basketball team in the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Jonah Bolden was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with pick #36 in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Bolden played a season-and-a-half with the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Phoenix Suns.
Bolden played 51 games in the NBA. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 10, 2013: Traded by the New York Knicks (as a future 2017 2nd round draft pick) with Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a 2014 2nd round draft pick (Xavier Thames was later selected) and a 2016 1st round draft pick (Jakob Pöltl was later selected) to the Toronto Raptors for Andrea Bargnani.
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July 10, 2014: Traded by the Toronto Raptors (as a future 2017 2nd round draft pick) with Steve Novak to the Utah Jazz for Diante Garrett.
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August 26, 2016: Traded by the Utah Jazz (as a future 2017 2nd round draft pick) with Tibor Pleiß and a 2017 2nd round draft pick (Alpha Kaba was later selected) to the Philadelphia 76ers for Kendall Marshall.
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June 22, 2017: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round (36th pick) of the 2017 NBA Draft.
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July 25, 2018: Signed a multi-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers
February 7, 2020: Waived by the Philadelphia 76ers.
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February 12, 2020: Signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 58% | 63% | 68% | 85% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
| Total | 141 | 309 | 45.6% | 57 | 173 | 32.9% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 23 | Philadelphia | PF | 44 | 10 | 639 | 207 | 165 | 40 | 47 | 118 | 17 | 39 | 36 | 99 | 80 | 162 | 49% | 34 | 96 | 35% | 13 | 27 | 48% | 60% | 60% |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Philadelphia | C | 4 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 52% | 67% |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Phoenix | C | 3 | 0 | 33 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 25% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 34% | 25% | Total | 51 | 10 | 686 | 217 | 174 | 40 | 50 | 124 | 20 | 41 | 38 | 109 | 84 | 173 | 49% | 34 | 100 | 34% | 15 | 31 | 48% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 23 | Philadelphia | PF | 44 | 10 | 14.5 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 49% | 0.8 | 2.2 | 35% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 48% | 60% | 60% |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Philadelphia | C | 4 | 0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 67% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0% | 52% | 67% |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Phoenix | C | 3 | 0 | 11.0 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 25% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.7 | 0.7 | 100% | 34% | 25% | Total | 51 | 10 | 13.5 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 49% | 0.7 | 2.0 | 34% | 0.3 | 0.6 | 48% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Serbia - FMP (2016–2017) | Israel - Maccabi Tel Aviv (2017–2018) | Puerto Rico - Capitanes de Arecibo (2024)
Bolden started his professional career with FMP in Serbia, where he was named the ABA League Top Prospect in 2017. On 15 March 2017, Bolden was awarded the ABA League Top Prospect title after averaging 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his rookie season.
He then played one season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel before joining the 76ers in the NBA.
On 10 June 2017, Bolden signed a two-year contract with Crvena zvezda. Twelve days later, Bolden was selected with the 36th pick of the 2017 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. In July 2017, he joined the 76ers for the 2017 NBA Summer League.
Before even suiting up for a single regular season game for the Crvena zvezda, on 21 July 2017, Bolden signed a three-year contract with the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. On 12 December 2017, Bolden recorded a season-high 23 points, shooting 8-of-14 from the field, along with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 98–90 win over Ironi Nahariya. Bolden went on to win the 2017 Israeli League Cup and the 2018 Israeli League Championship titles with Maccabi.
On 18 March 2024, Bolden signed with the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico.
COLLEGE
In December 2013, Bolden chose to play college basketball at UCLA over Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana, USC and SMU.
A highly ranked college recruit, Bolden was ineligible to play for UCLA as his freshman after he was ruled ineligible to play due to the way he transfered from Australia during his senior year of high school. In January 2015, he was cleared by the NCAA to practice with the Bruins. In May, he underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee that was expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Bolden would replace wing player Norman Powell and combo forward Kevon Looney, who had both made it to the NBA in the rotation, his college debut however, was delayed after he violated unspecified team rules and was held out of UCLA's season opener, an 84–81 upset loss to Monmouth.
He made his first appearance the following game, making an impact on defense while scoring 11 points and adding five rebounds in an 88–83 win over Cal Poly.
Bolden made his first career start when center Thomas Welsh was out sick against Louisiana–Lafayette, a game which the Bruins won (89–80).
After UCLA struggled on defense while starting 3–5 in their Pac-12 Conference schedule, Alford believed their front court was "slow" and moved Bolden into the starting lineup.
On 14 February 2016, he led the team with a career-high 16 points to go with nine rebounds in a 78–65 win over Arizona State. The Bruins lost their final five games of the season to finish with a 15–17 record. Bolden made 11 starts, and averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.7 minutes in 31 games. He ranked third on the team with 27 blocks.
Bolden, feeling he was underutilized by Alford, decided to forego his remaining two years of college eligibility and play professionally, despite having already missed out on declaring for the 2016 NBA draft.
AWARDS
- Israeli League champion (2018)
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Israeli League Cup winner (2017)
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ABA League Top Prospect (2017)
Related
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