Jonah Bolden will not be returning to UCLA. The Australian native will forgo his two seasons of college eligibility and turn professional as announced Tuesday afternoon.
“Jonah Bolden has informed the coaching staff that he has opted to play professionally this season,” the release said.
The 6-foot-10 forward started 11 games as a sophomore and averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 board in a lackluster season for UCLA.
As a freshman, the NCAA deemed him academically ineligible and ruled him a partial qualifier. Bolden could keep his scholarship and practice with the team but was not allowed to play games during the 2014-2015 season.
Without Bolden, the Bruins will turn to freshmen T.J. Leaf and Lonzo Ball as potential starters alongside seniors Isaac Hamilton and Bryce Alford.
UCLA opens the 2016-2017 season with home games against Pepperdine and Cal State Northridge on Nov. 11 and 13, respectively.
