Coach Nate Oats has been hard at work building his roster since his arrival, and another key piece fell into place as grad transfer PG James Bolden has committed.
Chapter 2
— Beetle (@jamesbolden3) April 14, 2019
Title: Roll Tide Roll
Beyond blessed and just want to thank everyone who took the the time to recruit and get to know me and after talking with my family I’m going to further my education and athletic career at the University of Alabama. Can I get a ROLL TIDE ! pic.twitter.com/lLgHLJF87k
He will be eligible immediately for his final season.
Bolden may weigh only 170 lbs., but he is a huge pickup for a program that really lacked a second ballhandler to take some load off of Kira Lewis last season. Though he’s a bit taller at 6’2”, the left-hander will remind many of former Tide guard Justin Coleman. He is as quick as lightning and unafraid to pull the trigger from most anywhere on the court. His 2018-19 season was shortened with a severe ankle injury, but he was averaging 12.2 points, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals in only 21 minutes a game before going down. For his career, he has shot a robust 40% from the three point line and 80% from the foul line.
Most importantly, Bolden is a perfect fit for the offense Oats wants to run. He pushes the ball, can break down the defense to open the three for others and can knock one down himself, as seen in the highlight video below. These are exciting times for the basketball program, folks.
Roll Tide.