Rival dads but sons unite as 76ers’ picks
THEIR fathers were fierce NBL rivals, now Jonah Bolden and Ben Simmons are NBA teammates.
The Philadelphia 76ers picked Sydney-raised Bolden 36th at Friday’s NBA draft in Brooklyn. It’s the culmination of a journey that has taken the 21-year-old from Australia to the US and Europe. Bolden will link with last year’s No. 1 draft pick in Simmons at the 76ers, while he’ll be coached by former Boomers and Sydney Kings mentor Brett Brown.
It’s a far cry from the 1990s, when their fathers – Bruce Bolden and Dave Simmons – were at the forefront of the epic rivalry between the Mel- bourne Tigers and the South East Melbourne Magic.
Bolden will join the strongest and most exciting young teams in the NBA.
Just hours before he received his rookie cap from Philadelphia, the 76ers selected Washington University sensation Markelle Fultz as the No. 1 pick. Fultz is expected to form a potent combination with Sim- mons and centre Joel Embiid.
For Bolden, who is coming off successful stints in Serbia and Belgrade, he feels blessed to finally play in the world’s best basketball competition.
“They say, ‘trust the process’, well for me this whole journey has been a process from day one,” Bolden said. “You know, having to leave Australia to go to two different high schools and playing two years at ULCA before going professional.
“But I’m definitely a believer in trusting the process.”
As for what Bolden will bring the building 76ers, who have claimed just 56 wins in the past three seasons?
“I think I’ll bring my length and my ability to get the rebound, push the floor and create for my teammates,” he said.