Ukraine calling: WSU’s Bolomboy gets chance to shine
Joel Bolomboy (21) slams home a dunk over two Northern Arizona players during first half action on Thursday at the Dee Events Center in Ogden. (DENNIS MONTGOMERY/Special to the Standard-Examiner)
Weber State forwardJoel Bolomboy helps a young boy practice dribbling between his legs at the Weber State basketball camp.
Weber State University's Joel Bolomboy dunks the ball over North Dakota University's Ryan Salmonson Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 in the Dee Events Center. (DYlAN BROWN/Standard-Examiner)
OGDEN — There’s no doubt that Joel Bolomboy is a fan favorite at Weber State basketball games. His size, length, and vertical abilities have inevitably led to highlights on both ends of the floor, often bringing the Dee to its feet. His undeniable talent has attracted attention beyond the Big Sky, as Arizona’s head coach Sean Miller praised Bolomboy after Weber’s 68-59 loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in March, saying that he believes that the 6’9″ 225 pound junior will play in the NBA.
“That’s a respected coach and he’s viewed very highly and knows what he’s talking about,” said Bolomboy of Miller’s comments. “He’s been coaching for a long time, so it means a lot.”
Now, Bolomboy’s figurative reach is crossing oceans and borders, as he started working out with the Ukrainian national team this week in hopes to make the team and participate in the FIBA World Cup among other tournaments overseas.
But before hearing of Ukraine’s interest, Bolomboy was preparing to take part in Adidas Nations in Las Vegas — an opportunity to work out in front of NBA scouts and coaches in hopes to make a strong enough impression to be selected in the draft.
Bolomboy would have to choose between the two.
“The coaches and I talked it over, and it was a way better opportunity than Adidas Nations,” said Bolomoby. “From the exposure to the competition level, it’s just overall better opportunity than Adidas Nations. This will be the best competition I’ve ever played against in my life so far. I look forward to that — I look forward to learning a lot too.”
Since learning of his opportunity to try out, workouts have taken a step up.
“I have a balanced schedule. I’ve been working out mainly with coach Phil Beckner,” said Bolomboy. “He thinks I’ll be doing two-a-days, so I usually work out at 9:30, I’ll lift around 12:30, later I’ll come back to the gym. It’s spread out, balanced throughout the day.”
As far as improving specific aspects of his game, he’s giving everything some polishing.
“Right now it’s just a little bit of everything, trying to sharpen everything,” said Bolomboy. “Shooting, post moves, pick and roll, finishes, a little bit of everything.”
Bolomboy also mentioned that he is more aggressive than he has been, and his three-pointer will start to come out more as well.
But before we see any more of his story unfold, the question begs to be asked, how in the world does the Ukraine have the right to ask Bolomboy to play for them?
His father, Joseph, was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while his mother, Tania, was born in Russia. The two met at college and were married in what was then Ukraine, and now is a part of Russia, then later had Joel.
“I was born out there when that was Ukraine, but they wanted a better opportunity to raise their kids in the future,” said Bolomboy. “I have three younger sisters. The main thing was they just wanted a better opportunity, a better life.”
In pursuit of the American dream, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas when Joel was no more than three years old.
“I don’t remember much, I feel like I’ve never been there,” said Bolomboy of his Ukrainian birthplace. “I don’t remember anything.”
Bolomboy started playing basketball when he was in the seventh grade, and while he says he’s always been tall, he started to grow even more in high school.
“In high school grew about two inches a year,” said Bolomboy. “I probably came in around 6’1″, and just grew two inches every year, until I got to like 6’8″ my senior year.”
It was in high school where the big dream of playing in NBA first came to Bolomboy.
“I’ve wanted to make it to the NBA since my sophomore year of high school,” said Bolomboy. “It’s always been on my mind, one of my goals.”
He saw an opportunity to make the next step in making that dream a reality at Weber State.
“The main thing was I loved the environment — the city,” said Bolomboy. “The coaches and teammates when I came up here on my visit showed me a really good development program for me. That way I could get better individually.”
For the 2014 Big Sky defensive player of the year, the development has exceeded his expectations.
“It’s way better than I expected. I didn’t think I would come to this point,” said Bolomboy. “I’ve gotten so much better. I’ve had a great experience out here. I was lucky enough to win a championship this past season, and I look forward to winning another one, improving my game, and enjoying my time and my college experience.”
Bolomboy will be entering his junior year as a Wildcat this upcoming season. The full Weber State basketball schedule has not yet been released.