It’s not the banner, lottery pick-laden year like we saw last year (where two Australian ballers went in the upper tier of the draft) but Australia is still holding its own in this year’s NBA Draft.
“With the 36th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Jonah Bolden from Sydney, Australia” #AussieHoops pic.twitter.com/XIGf1AV0PL
— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) June 23, 2017
Australian Jonah Bolden is the best player in the draft no one is talking about. @JonathanTjarks https://t.co/Q6VnOibzpi
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 15, 2017
The 208cm forward was born in Melbourne before attending and playing for Homebush Boys High School in Sydney.
Welcome to Philly, @Jonahbolden43! pic.twitter.com/J0EKHD31Ab
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 23, 2017
Bolden joins a team already extremely familiar with Australians, with last year’s overall number one pick Ben Simmons now a teammate, and coach Brett Brown have extensive experience coaching Australian basketball.
He joins a team overflowing with talent, with Simmons and Joel Embiid now being fed by this year’s overall number one pick in point guard Markelle Fultz.
Blue suit ? // Blue hat ? pic.twitter.com/DBseTcxNSW
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 23, 2017
Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty.
