CHICAGO – Sitting at a table set up for interviews with draft hopefuls at the NBA combine last week, Joel Bolomboy was alone.
It was weird to see considering what the 6-foot-9, 224-pound forward had done in terms of testing at the combine in addition to the way he played in a pair of 5-on-5 games.
But just as it was in college at Weber State, folks are starting to catch on to one of the risers in next month’s upcoming NBA draft.
Bolomboy will be among the many draft hopefuls hitting the NBA workout circuit in the coming weeks, with a stop in Boston already scheduled.
“The interest level came both ways,” said Bolomboy who told CSNNE.com that he did not interview with the Celtics at the combine. “My agent was trying to target teams that had picks within my (draft) range and the Celtics happened to be one of them. So we set up a workout.”
Bolomboy is projected as a likely second round pick, but his strong showing at the combine along with solid workouts should propel him up the draft board.
“When it’s all said and done, I think I’ll fall somewhere in the late first round,” he said.
Boston Celtics
Bolomboy was considered one of the more athletic bigs at the combine, but it didn’t take long for him to show that his athleticism didn’t just set him apart from fellow big men.
His lane agility time of 10.26 seconds was tops among all players.
On the shuttle run, only two players – guard Melo Tremble and small forward Taurean Prince – had a better time than his 2.86 seconds.
He finished among the top six in three-quarter sprint (3.17 seconds, sixth), standing vertical leap (37.5 inches, tied for second) and maximum vertical leap (40.5 inches, tied for sixth).
“The league likes athletic bigs,” Bolomboy said. “I was trying to come in here and impress a lot of people. I knew if I come here, I was one of the fastest bigs or the fastest big. I was definitely faster than some of the guards. Even on the defensive side, I pride myself on guarding multiple positions.”
That versatility as a defender who can switch out on pick-and-rolls, is one of the more attractive qualities Bolomboy brings to the table.
“There’s a lot to like about what he can do defensively,” a league executive told CSNNE.com regarding Bolomboy. “He’s extremely athletic, can move his feet laterally really well, and can jump out the gym.”
So why isn’t he projected to go higher in the draft?
Part of the problem is he played at Weber State.
Despite the success of small-school talent in recent years, they still find themselves constantly having to prove themselves to those who believe that they play against inferior competition and because of that, produce statistics that are better than their actual ability.
That’s why the combine was so important for Bolomboy.
“Coming from a small school, i naturally have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “Coming in here, I don’t get this kind of exposure like some of the kids that come from SEC schools, ACC schools. Playing against them is a big deal for me, trying to boost my name up there and boost my stock.”
Bolomboy says there are a number of players whose game he tries to incorporate with his, but the player whose game he says he has tried to emulate the most is former Bad Boy Dennis Rodman.
“On the court, the way he rebounds the ball, is a defensive anchor, helping his teammates,” Bolomboy said. “But I like Draymond Green a lot, too. I feel I can do some of those things too.”
If that’s the case, Bolomboy would become one of this year’s draft biggest steals if as expected he’s taken in the second round or even late in the first.
But beyond what he has done as a player which includes setting a Big Sky conference record for rebounds while being named the league’s Defensive Player each of the last two seasons and Player of the Year this past season, Bolomboy has found success in what matters most – team victories.
Weber State won their conference tournament which landed them a spot in the NCAA Tournament this past season. And more recently, the team he played for at the combine won both of their games with a 10-point, 9 rebound performance in a 104-95 victory to finish as the only undefeated team at the combine.
“It says I’m a winner,” Bolomboy said. “No matter what team you put me on I’ll impact the game on both sides of the court.”