Heat NBA Draft 2017: 5 players Miami should consider reaching for
By Wes Goldberg
4. Jonah Bolden, Radnicki Basket
Position: Power forward
Age: 21
Height/weight: 6’10’’, 227
Wingspan: N/A (but he’s long)
Season averages: 12.3 PPG, 7.3 REB, 1.7 AST
Shooting splits: 51.0-41.9-58.5
Assessment:
Look up the highlight clips of Jonah Bolden on YouTube, and you’ll see a bunch of put-back dunks. Sure, it’s mostly against international competition, but he springs like a slinky and flies at the rim in a flash. Bolden’s shooting percentages were solid, but is 58.5 percent free-throw percentage (often a strong indicator of shooting skill) is worrisome. However, his stroke is clean, and when you consider that he took more 3s (135) than free throws (85) it’s a little bit less of a concern.
Of all the players on this list, Bolden is perhaps the most athletic and fluid. His quickness and long limbs make him a very intriguing prospect if he can round out his game and leverage his athleticism against NBA competition.
Fit with Heat:
Bolden is a half-baked version of 2016-17 James Johnson. If selected by the Heat, he’d either be (a) insurance if Johnson leaves in free agency or (b) Johnson’s apprentice. Baby Bloodsport, if you will.