Author: Monojit Mandal
Jonah Bolden is ready to return to the world of professional basketball after a three-year sabbatical. At the beginning of 2020, the exceptional athlete took a break from sport to focus on his own ventures, family life and personal development. His love for the game, however, has returned, and he is looking forward to making the most of his physical ability and returning to the professional sports scene.
Bolden, a Sydney native, signed a one-year contract with the Sydney Kings, the reigning two-time champions of the National Basketball League (NBL). Bolden will return to his hometown to play on his home court, the Qudos Bank Arena, which is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from his old high school, Homebush Boys. His father, Australian basketball star Bruce Bolden, left a lasting influence on the Kings, which increases the importance of this homecoming.
Bolden began to progressively resume basketball drills in January 2023, around the time of his 27th birthday, rekindling his love for the sport. “I was getting back on the court and having fun with the guys,” Bolden told ESPN. “And then, after being around a bit longer, I felt that itch to get back into the professional environment, using my potential and having fun with it.”
Bolden’s adventure is over. He was once a potential possibility for the Kings, but was previously out of reach. He had a great rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers as the 36th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, starting 10 games and even being part of the team’s rotation in the postseason. The following season, however, he was waived by the 76ers and signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.
Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass revealed the team’s long-standing interest in Bolden. “I’m not kidding, the first contact was three or four years ago,” said Pongrass. “When he was an NBA player, the contact was closed quickly.” That’s someone you’re always on the lookout for. He’s a Sydney native whose father is a great basketball player, and he’s an extraordinarily skilled young NBA player. You want to have the possibility of his return. It was only three or four weeks ago that it became a serious possibility.“
However, the road to Bolden’s return home was not without its difficulties. The Kings had to go through unusual procedures and conduct a substantial search for a player who had been out of the NBA for more than three years. To demonstrate his skills, Bolden went through many exercises, including a training session and an individual one. He also underwent a full examination and screening with the Kings’ medical team. Pongrass and Luc Longley, a member of the team and special advisor, also welcomed Bolden for meetings and talks.
Pongrass recognized that hiring Bolden was a high-risk, high-reward proposition. “If we can get him back to what he was, he’ll be one of the three, four or five best players in the league, without a doubt,” said Pongrass. “It’s just a matter of getting him back there.“Our conversations have focused on what this process involves and when it will take place. It won’t happen overnight.”
During his absence, Bolden kept a close eye on the Kings’ progress. The club won two consecutive NBL championships, produced two league MVPs and saw many players gain opportunities in the NBA.