We've seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a series on some players who have attended events over the past few years but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball court, and today's edition will take a closer look at Omari Bolden of Parkland High School.
We've seen Bolden in all possible settings, including at our NC Phenom 150 Camp, where we stated, 'Continuing onto a player that made quite the impression with his ability to consistently score the ball, Omari Bolden. He's a strong-bodied guard prospect with a solid feel for the game on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Bolden offers a nice balance of shooting and attacking the rim, able to vary his choice based on the opposition, and converts a strong majority of his attempts. He gets downhill well and finishes strong around the basket. Bolden is typically slotted off-ball, but possesses the ability to slide over and take on secondary ball-handling duties whenever necessary. He's a terrific defender, both on and off-ball, and displays a clear desire to overwhelm his assignment with his motor. Next in his development process is working on moving without the ball, as it would allow him to seamlessly cut and spot-up without the ball. Coach Cousins on Bolden: 'Omari is a really good ball-handler that breaks defenders down quickly. He should use quickness to make more plays for others and can become more vocal. He's a hard worker and good teammate.' Bolden was among the most reliable scoring options on his team and enjoyed great success as a result.'
With Camian Shell departing, the time has come for Bolden to assert himself as the undisputed leader of this Mustangs squad. Last season, he posted nightly averages of 18.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 SPG while being a consistent scoring threat from all levels. Although Bolden has played in more of a secondary role, he has the tools to start truly dictating the action. He's highlighted nice flashes as a creator, rebounder, and defender while already possessing notable scoring chops. Bolden is a quality shooter that understands how to make his presence felt in transition and continues to add strength to his frame. The upcoming season should be an exciting time for college coaches in pursuit of Bolden.
