Marques Bolden is still pondering his future but is expected to make a decision on his college choice sooner rather than later.
The 6-foot-10 center told USA Today last weekend that he’s getting closer to making a decision where he will play college basketball next season. Bolden’s two choices are Kentucky and Duke, two collegiate powerhouses competing for his letter-of-intent, even though he’s likely a one-and-done prospect.
Marques Bolden is getting close to making his college choice
“I’m definitely close,” he said. “I’ll make that decision real soon.”
The two factors in Bolden’s final decision depends on how comfortable he feels with his school of choice and coaching staff. Bolden has already made official visits to both schools and hosted in-house visits with Kentucky coach John Calipari and members of the Duke coaching staff.
Despite overtures from both programs, Bolden remains in limbo and remains indecisive on his college plans.
“I do most of my thinking about it laying in my bed by myself at night,” Bolden told USA Today. “I just don’t know what I’m gonna do yet. It’s funny, I read what people say on Twitter and they just know that I already know or they just know period. It’s a tough decision.”
NBA combine alternates
Kentucky guard Isaiah Briscoe and forward Marcus Lee didn’t receive an invite to the NBA combine, but will serve as alternates.
It’s a setback for Briscoe and Lee who have opted for the draft but neither player has hired an agent, leaving the door open for a return to UK next season.
Lee will be a senior and Briscoe a sophomore if both players are on the Wildcats’ roster next year. Alex Poythress also is listed as an alternate for the combine.
Jamal Murray, Skal Labissiere and Tyler Ulis, all of whom have declared for the June NBA Draft, are projected to be first-round picks. Murray is predicted to be a Top 5 pick, Labissiere is listed among the Top 15 prospects and Ulis is ranked in the Top 20 by most draft analysts.
Ex-EKU coaches Good, Sullivan hired
Former Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball coach Max Good, has been hired as head coach at Pratt Community College in Kansas.
In addition to his eight-year stint at EKU, Good has been a head coach at Loyola Marymount and Bryant College. He has served the past two seasons as special assistant head coach at UNLV.
“I am extremely pleased and excited about becoming the next head men’s basketball coach at Pratt Community College.” Good said. “Over the course of my career, I have found the greatest challenge to be going from a head coaching position to an assistant coaching role. At this stage in my career, I am eager to run my own program again.”
Kansas coach Bill Self praised Good’s hiring.
“Max Good brings a wealth of experience and high energy to the Pratt Community College basketball program,” Self said. “He knows everyone in the business and will have Pratt competing at the highest level very soon. Fans should be excited.”
Everick Sullivan, a former assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky, has been hired as men’s basketball coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University. At Eastern, he was an associate head coach under Jeff Neubauer and has spent the past four years at Georgia State.
“We believe coach Sullivan is the perfect choice to lead the Bears men’s basketball team,” said Kim Pate, Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics Director said. “Coach Sullivan brings all the qualities necessary to develop and sustain a nationally-contending NCAA Division II Basketball Program that our campus, community, and alumni will continue to take great pride in.”
Sullivan played his collegiate basketball at the University of Louisville from 1988-92.
Three WKU players selected in NFL Draft
Three Western Kentucky University players were selected in the NFL Draft last weekend. Tight End Tyler Higbee (fourth round, L.A. Rams), quarterback Brandon Doughty (seventh-round, Miami Dolphins) and cornerback Charles Iworah (seventh round, San Francisco 49ers) as the Hilltoppers tied a school record for most picks in a single draft.
Western had three players selected in the 1971 NFL Draft.
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter
