Duke Basketball: Season preview for junior big man Marques Bolden
One of the biggest questions in the Duke Basketball program over the past two years has been Marques Bolden, but the junior big man has high expectations for this season.
Two seasons ago, Marques Bolden entered Duke under the assumption he would be a one and done.
A recruiting class along side of Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, and Frank Jackson, Bolden was ready to help Duke win a National Championship and then be off to the NBA.
More from Ball Durham
- Duke basketball: The architect behind digital dominance
- Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
- Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
- Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
- Duke basketball fills final open scholarship
However, after season of less than stellar performance and injuries, Bolden will begin his junior season with the Blue Devils with yet another loaded front court and he is ready to become that player Duke fans thought they would see two years ago.
In his freshman season, Bolden only averaged 6.5 minutes per game, scoring an average of 1.6 points in those game while only bringing down 1.1 rebounds per game as well.
The Desoto, Texas native saw his minutes double in his sophomore season as he was on the court for about 12.9 minutes per game and scoring 3.9 points per game and grabbing 3.6 rebounds per game.
One of the biggest problems with Bolden was his hustle and energy.
Over his two seasons at Duke and during the Duke Canada Tour, when things don’t seem to go Bolden’s way on the court he starts to get lazy and his effort level drops.
In the first preseason game against Virginia Union is seemed to be more of the same for Bolden, but against Ferris State he looked to be much more active and aggressive on both ends of the floor, which was a great sign.
Bolden’s size is something the Blue Devils could truly use with protection around the rim as well as crashing the glass on both ends of the floor.
Marques Bolden will be a very important part to this years Duke Blue Devil team whether he comes off the bench or he is in the starting lineup.
The Blue Devils kick off the season against the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday, November 6 in the State Farm Champions Classic from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana at approximately 9:30 pm ET.