Former Express forward Maurice Bolden has NBA dreams

 

 

By Ryan Blevins

 

A former member of the Windsor Express is hoping to have his NBA dreams realized.

Bolden is a National Basketball League of Canada veteran and played last season locally for the Windsor Express. He will not be returning for the 2016-2017 season. Instead he will be playing in the NBA’s Development League. Bolden will be working to play at the highest level of North American professional basketball.

Bolden was selected in the first round of the NBA D-League draft Saturday. The 6’10” forward was selected 18th overall by the Austin Spurs. He was the first of six NBL Canada players selected to make the jump to American professional basketball.

After being drafted, Bolden said he is excited abour the opportunity.

“I’m just looking forward to playing and getting a chance to move up,” said Bolden.

A native of Jackson, Miss., Bolden is no stranger to basketball. He attended Southern Mississippi University where he spent four years on the college team before playing professionally in Cyprus, Poland and Canada.

Windsor Express head coach Bill Jones said he takes pride in seeing his former players move on.

“It is something that is rewarding for our organization, for our front office to find the talent and for me as a coach to put him on the floor and give him a platform to succeed,” said Jones.

The Express are used to graduating players to other leagues. According to Express executive Dartis Willis, many players have gone on to become leaders in other leagues such as Quinnel Brown and Tony Bennett. The most recent player to sign overseas was Brandon Robinson who officially signed with Club Osorno Básquetbol in Chile’s Liga Nacional de Basquetbol on Sept. 8.

There are two other players on NBA D-League rosters who spent time with the Windsor Express last season. Toronto native Shaquille Keith is attempting to make the Raptors 905 roster while Mississauga native Alex “Superman” Johnson join the Grand Rapids Drive for their training camp.

 

Bolden and the Austin Spurs began training camp on Nov. 2.