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NBA Rookie Ladder: Ranking draft and stash heroes

By Brandon Jefferson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Jonah Bolden

Jonah Bolden is no stranger to making a name for himself abroad. The Australian big man didn’t come over to the United States until he was a senior in high school. Once in the US, he attended illustrious institutions like Findlay Prep and Brewster Academy.

From there, he enrolled at UCLA, but was only deemed a partial qualifier as a freshman. There was a chance that he could’ve been part of the Lonzo Ball renaissance at UCLA, but he opted to turn pro and played in Serbia instead. Since then Bolden has found his way to renowned Israeli franchise Maccabi Tel Aviv. Bolden is one of the top players for Maccabi and help the team win the 2017 Israeli League Cup.

Bolden has all the tools to excel as a modern-day big. He is a quick-twitch athlete that has range out to the 3-point line; he is shooting 32.3 percent on 3-pointers in all competitions this year. He’s easily one of the top athletes in any game he’s played with Maccabi even when comparing him to some of his Euroleague counterparts.

Bolden has also shown the ability to make an impact defensively too, he’s averaging over one steal and one block per game this season. In the right situation Bolden can make an immediate impact in the NBA when he comes over.

The team that is hoping that Bolden is able to make a contribution right away is the Philadelphia 76ers. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons rounding into franchise superstars, a player like Bolden could fit in greatly between the two of them. Bolden can play with both Simmons and Embiid or man the four next to Joel or bump up to the five besides Simmons. Versatility is the name of the game and with Bolden the Sixers could potentially have that in spades in a few seasons.

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