Well, I know NkY kids who have told me that he isn't that strong, just that he has great handles, quickness, and floor vision. And, those aren't college players, and those aren't even kids getting college looks right now.

 

As said on ESPN, "c'mon man!"... We know Bolden is really good, GrEaT even, but don't try to tell me a legit d1 college kid is telling me that a 5'10 150 lbs kid surprised them with strength.

 

Those kids either don't know what they are talking about, or are lying. Would love to have you send a private message to Walter to set up a little one-on-one action with these kids you are referring to. If they even exist

Definetly talked them up but never as McDonald's All Americans.

 

I always felt Elijah would have a better college career and he had a very good jr season for Marshall.

 

Ricardo was never going to play above mid major but he has been a nice role player off the bench for Ohio U.

 

Bolden has a lot more skill than Ricardo did. I'm not saying he will be a McDonald's AA. I do think he will be a top 100 talent though and have his pick of where he wants to go when his Sr year finishes.

 

Ask Hep what he thinks about Bolden. See you tomorrow night.

 

James just doesn't pass the eye test at a high D1 school. I could be completely wrong- I was once. However, unless we start hearing offers from KU, Duke, UNC, OSU or Syracuse he isn't an elite recruit. He's got a good game and a future at lower D1....see Remy Abell if you want a comparison.

Edited April 23, 201313 yr by Randy Parker
Rule 2

James just doesn't pass the eye test at a high D1 school. I could be completely wrong- I was once. However, unless we start hearing offers from KU, Puke, UNC, OSU or Syracuse he isn't an elite recruit. He's got a good game and a future at lower D1....see Remy Abell if you want a comparison.

 

Who knows if he will get to THAT level but being a PG changes things and makes the Abell comparison invalid IMO.

I'll go on record as stating that Bolden will be a stud in college, while Hawkins either sits the bench his whole career at UK, or ends up transferring out due to lack of playing time. Write it down and dust it off in a few years.

Cal saw everything you did, yet recruited him to be on the team. If you'd still like to think you're a better evaluator of talent than Cal and his staff, you go ahead. Lol ! And yes, lets dust it off and talk about it in a few years. I'll predict at that time, Bolden will be getting descent minutes on a team such as Xavier, Cincinnati or a team on a comparable level. Keep in touch !:thumb:

I'll go on record as stating that Bolden will be a stud in college, while Hawkins either sits the bench his whole career at UK, or ends up transferring out due to lack of playing time. Write it down and dust it off in a few years.

 

 

Congrats to Mr. Bolden on offers I'm sure more to come also. But to sit there and say that he will be a better college player then Hawkins is a dumb statement. Hawkins has proven himself for 4 years in high school Bolden has 2 more years and had a unreal year and remember both these kids played on a real good teams they couldn't of done what they did without teammates. I hope both of these boys prove everyone wrong and have nice careers in Sports.

James just doesn't pass the eye test at a high D1 school. I could be completely wrong- I was once. However, unless we start hearing offers from KU, Puke, UNC, OSU or Syracuse he isn't an elite recruit. He's got a good game and a future at lower D1....see Remy Abell if you want a comparison.

 

When have I or anyone else said that he was an elite recruit? I simply stated that he will be able to pick where he wants to go to school by the time his senior season ends. Define elite recruit so i know what you are referring to. If that's the case, 85% of the top 150 shouldn't be considered "elite recruits because they don't receive an offer from the above named schools, either.

 

Your evaluation of his game and the "eye test" really doesn't mean much as long as the college coaches keep calling and offering.

Hawkins is 5'11-6'0 at best. I stood next to him during interviews and he isn't very big. Hawkins also isn't as quick as Bolden, hence why he picked up 2 quick fouls in the state quarterfinal game. Couldn't guard him.

 

Here is my Q for you Walter. Can Bolden guard Hawkins. My answer no and really Bolden is not a good defender watch a lot of his games this year that's what he has to improve on over the offseason. Now for his offense he is the best of the best. If he wants to play at a high level D1 he needs to be able to guard cause we all know Defense wins games.

Here is my Q for you Walter. Can Bolden guard Hawkins. My answer no and really Bolden is not a good defender watch a lot of his games this year that's what he has to improve on over the offseason. Now for his offense he is the best of the best. If he wants to play at a high level D1 he needs to be able to guard cause we all know Defense wins games.

 

This is a very valid point...hence why James has been working so hard in the weight room to get stronger.

 

Offensively he can play with anyone. I personally think his defense is better than given credit for, but I do know he is working to get better. When I watched him at the Travelers practice, that is something they really worked hard with him on. One thing that did stand out to me though is they never had to tell him more than once about adjustments he needed to make and spots he needed to be in. He picks up on things very well.

Cal saw everything you did, yet recruited him to be on the team. If you'd still like to think you're a better evaluator of talent than Cal and his staff, you go ahead. Lol ! And yes, lets dust it off and talk about it in a few years. I'll predict at that time, Bolden will be getting descent minutes on a team such as Xavier, Cincinnati or a team on a comparable level. Keep in touch !:thumb:

 

I believe it was more of a political move than anything else...

I believe it was more of a political move than anything else...

 

:lol2:

 

Just quit while you're behind...

Who guarded him that was 6'3, 6'4, or maybe even 6'5 and over 200lbs. That could be what he see's at the highest d1 level of UK...

 

You are way too caught up in stereotypical players in college. Do you realize that not every D1 point guard is the same height and weight? Look at Nate Robinson making a career for himself in the NBA...is that prototypical? Look at Marcus Paige at UNC, a top tier program, around 6'1'' 155lbs....

 

Please tell me who stopped Bolden this year? NO ONE did...and he hung up 29 on Mr. Kentucky Basketball as a sophomore. What more can you ask of a kid? He has just as good of offers as Hawkins does as a Sophomore with the exception of UK....but let's be honest here what if MC lost in the first round of state Tourney and what if Hawkins doesn't win Kentucky Mr. Basketball? I am not bashing the kid whatsoever because I like his game but I am being realistic. He is arguably coming into the top recruiting class UK has ever seen and Wiggins still may end up there....if you really think that Hawkins is going to get PT there your crazy! The only way he is going to get PT is if all these McDonalds All Americans leave and UK has a down recruiting class.

 

I still don't understand why everyone feels the need to compare age...in reality it's completely irrelevant because at the end of the day Bolden is still a sophomore and he still has two seasons left in High School. Regardless of his current size he is going to continue maturing and become even better. As I said in my previous post, don't read into prototypical size and strength this kid has the "IT FACTOR". He will have the better college career hands down if Hawkins stays at UK for 4 years.

 

Also, Hawkins isn't a pure PG. I believe it was stated by Clyde earlier in this thread that Butler passed on an offer because in AAU they only saw him play the two. Well if Hawkins plays the 2 at UK, his mismatch is going to be more severe than Bolden's guarding at the PG spot at that level of play. SG's at high major basketball can range from about 6'2'' to 6'6'' Hawkins isn't that big. Finally, from a PG prospective Bolden and Hawkins it isn't even comparable. The only thing Hawkins has on Bolden is strength and couple inches. Regarding skills and natural ability Bolden is much better.

 

I'll say it now Bolden will have the better college career and his potential is through the roof.

I believe it was more of a political move than anything else...

You've said that before. Now explain what you mean by that. Waiting.....:popcorn:

I'll go on record as stating that Bolden will be a stud in college, while Hawkins either sits the bench his whole career at UK, or ends up transferring out due to lack of playing time. Write it down and dust it off in a few years.

I hope you got your info somewhere besides where you got this jewel you posted about UK being interested in Hawkins!!!

 

He's good and all... but not UK "give him a scholly good" -- I can see him being offered a preferred walk on, but that is it. He's not a true PG cut in the mold of Cal's likes and he is not tall enough to be a 2.

I hope you got your info somewhere besides where you got this jewel you posted about UK being interested in Hawkins!!!

 

Its a "feel good story" for Kentucky fans like you... its part of Cal's branding initiative... make the target audience happy. I've expressed my opinions and we will see if they come true or not. You will be the first person I contact.

Its a "feel good story" for Kentucky fans like you... its part of Cal's branding initiative... make the target audience happy. I've expressed my opinions and we will see if they come true or not. You will be the first person I contact.

And I'll be waiting ! Just saw where Dominique had 17 points in the Ky/Ohio All-Star game today. I imagine that's against some pretty good competition. Another "feel good" story ? Politics ? I'll let you decide.