Weber State University Athletics
Joel Bolomboy drafted by Utah Jazz in NBA Draft
6/24/2016 5:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Weber State standout Joel Bolomboy won't have to travel far to make it to the NBA. Bolomboy was drafted with the 52nd overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
“I was really excited to hear my name called tonight in the NBA Draft,” Bolomboy said. “I really appreciate the support of all the Weber State fans and I'm thankful the Jazz drafted me and gave me a chance. I spent four years at Weber State and I'm excited to be able to stay in Utah.”
Bolomboy became the 16th player in Weber State history to be drafted in the NBA Draft and the second in the last five years, joining Damian Lillard who was drafted sixth overall by Portland in the 2012 Draft. Bolomboy is one of just five players in Weber State history taken in the first or second round of the NBA Draft.
“This is fantastic for Joel and we are so happy for him to get drafted in the NBA,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “I don't think I've been around a player that has improved as much as Joel has. He's been such a hard worker and has put himself in position to get drafted in the NBA. He's a really good player but he's a much better person than a player. He's got a tremendous opportunity to play with a great organization like the Jazz and we couldn't be prouder for him.”
This past season the Fort Worth, Texas native finished his four-year career at Weber State, helping lead the Wildcats to the Big Sky regular season title, Big Sky Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. He earned honorable mention All-American honors, was named Big Sky Conference MVP and Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award. He also earned First Team All-District honors from the NABC and was named the MVP of the Reese's College All-Star game at the Final Four.
This season he set a WSU single-season record with 415 rebounds during the year and finished third in the country in rebounding at 12.6 per game. He also set a school record with 26 double-doubles on the season, also the third most in the country. He finished second on the WSU team and eighth in the Big Sky in scoring at 17.1 points per game and scored in double figures in 31 games of his 33 games played. He also finished fourth in the conference in blocks and fifth in field goal percentage.
Bolomboy finished his four-year career as one of the top players in school history. He is now Weber State's career leader in blocks, rebounds and free throws attempted. He also became the Big Sky's career leader in rebounds, finishing his career with 1,312 career rebounds. He now ranks seventh in career scoring in school history and his third in career free throws made. Bolomboy played in 130 career games at Weber State, also the third most in school history.
