Bolomboy savoring opportunity to play international basketball


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OGDEN — After Weber State’s 68-59 loss to Arizona in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Arizona coach Sean Miller couldn’t say enough about Weber State sophomore forward Joel Bolomboy.

Miller said Bolomboy was an NBA player, and one of the best players Pac-12 Arizona had faced all season. Ever since, hype has circulated around Bolomboy’s pro prospects. In fact, several NBA sources have named Bolomboy as a player to watch for in the 2016 draft.

Another accolade Bolomboy recently earned was being invited by former NBA coach Mike Fratello to try out for the Ukrainian national team, in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in late August.

Weber State coach Randy Rahe said the process of Bolomboy joining the Ukrainian team came when Fratello started contact with him, as Bolomboy was in the process of trying to join the Adidas Nations summer basketball program.

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“(Fratello) called me about a month ago, and said that he had found out (Bolomboy) was from the Ukraine,” said Rahe, who is returning for his ninth season as Weber State coach. “They were real excited to get him over for a tryout, and to see how it goes.”

Bolomboy said his contact with Fratello has been positive to this point.

“I’ve talked to him on the phone a few times — about three times,” said Bolomboy, who averaged 11 rebounds a game last season. “One time he checked in and just wanted to know how I was doing, and another time I had a couple questions, so I gave him a call and we talked for about 10 minutes, and he just kind of gave me an overview of what to expect.

“He’s a great coach, and he knows a lot, so I look forward to learning a lot from him, and just being there enjoying the moment.”

With Fratello being so connected in the NBA world, after coaching three NBA franchises himself, Rahe said the process will help Bolomboy continue his development.

“It’s just another step, to be honest,” he noted. “He’s made great strides these first two years. I think he’s made another big jump as a player this spring and summer. He only went home for about a week and a half after school, and he got right back up here and started working out. He’s really focused on trying to be great.”

The whole reason Bolomboy is eligible to play for Ukraine is he was born within the country’s borders, to a Russian mother and a father from the Congo.

Of course, there have been notable amounts of turmoil in Eastern Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, but Bolomboy said he’s been promised security is a top priority for the national team.

“Talking to the coaches, they told my family and I, and my coaches, that they wouldn’t bring me out there if it wasn’t safe,” he said. “There'll be security at all times, but that was definitely a thing that I had to look at. My mom was definitely worried, and still kind of is until I get out there.”

More than anything, Rahe said he is excited to see how playing in foreign environments will help his junior forward grow, not only as a player but as a person.

“It’s a great experience for him as a person, to be able to travel and see different countries,” he said. “(Also), be around different teammates and coaches. Coach Fratello is a fantastic coach; I think everybody knows that; and a great developer of players, so it’ll be good for Joel.”

After losing 2014 Big Sky Player of the Year Davion Berry to graduation, the Wildcats are expecting Bolomboy to become one of the featured options in the offense. And Bolomboy said he is ready to meet the challenge.

“I can definitely see the difference now, and the coaches even told me they have to have me be more dominant,” said Bolomboy, who said he mainly worked on his physical strength and mental toughness this offseason. “(Coaches want me) to be more dominant, and every time I get the ball go score. Try to get every rebound; try to block every shot. Basically, just try to take over every time.”

As far as making the Ukrainian team, Bolomboy said his chances of making the team are strong but not certain, and will start today when he leaves for Europe.

“There’s a chance that I won’t make it, but there’s a chance that I will make it,” said Bolomboy, who leaves today for New York City and then Kiev, Ukraine. “I don’t know what they’ll have us doing. I just know it’s pretty much a practice.”

If Bolomboy makes the squad, Ukraine is set to play in the same group as the Dominican Republic, Finland, New Zealand, Turkey and the United States. He said it would be a unique challenge to play against so many world-class players and coaches.

“It would be really cool (to play against them),” said Bolomboy, who posted 11 points and 16 rebounds in the NCAA tournament game against Arizona. “It’s kind of indescribable what I feel right now, but this opportunity doesn’t come around to everybody. I’m just thankful for it.”

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