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PrintPHILADELPHIA -- Melquan Bolding was recruited by a number of Big East Conference schools before he gave a verbal commitment to Louisville in his sophomore year of high school.
But, by the time Bolding was a senior, he and coach Rick Pitino reached a mutual agreement that Bolding wouldn't sign with the Cardinals.
• Matchup: Duquesne (15-9, 6-5 A-10) vs. La Salle (14-11, 5-6), 2 p.m. today, Tom Gola Arena, Philadelphia.
• Radio: KQV-AM (1410).
• Duquesne: G Aaron Jackson is averaging 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in three games at Gola Arena. ... Lost three of past four road games. ... F Damian Saunders leads the Dukes in rebounding (7.9 per game), blocked shots (53) and steals (52).
• La Salle: Lost, 62-53, at home to Richmond Wednesday, shooting season-low 28.1 percent from the field ... Has four players in double figures led by G Rodney Green (16.8 ppg) .... Explorers lead series, 36-27.
• Hidden stat: Dukes are 2-0 and have averaged 106.0 points in two games at Gola Arena under coach Ron Everhart.
He ended up spending one year at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., before signing with Duquesne last spring.
Bolding, a 6-foot-4 freshman guard, will make his 20th start today when the Dukes (15-9, 6-5 Atlantic 10 Conference) return to action for the first time in a week with a game against La Salle (14-11, 5-6) at Tom Gola Arena.
He is averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 30.4 minutes in 11 conference games and is happy to be part of coach Ron Everhart's up-tempo offense.
"I don't get too much grief about not going to Louisville anymore," Bolding said. "I liked coach Everhart, and this was an opportunity to come to an up-and-coming program and play a lot of minutes as a freshman. It's been good so far. I don't regret not ending up at Louisville."
Bolding, ranked the 27th-best player in the class of 2008 by Hoop Scoop, was named to the A-10's preseason all-rookie team. He joined the Dukes' starting lineup Dec. 3 against Pitt and has stayed there.
He has scored in double figures in 10 of the past 15 games, including a career-high 26 Jan. 14 against George Washington. The only starter among eight freshmen on the roster, Bolding is third on the team with 42 offensive rebounds.
"I think Mel has adjusted really well to the college game after a slow start," Everhart said. "But because he went to multiple high schools and a prep school, he had to wait for the NCAA Clearinghouse to give him the go-ahead, so he missed our preseason conditioning program. He didn't join the team until right around mid-October, when we started practicing.
"He was behind a little, but I look at that kid now and I see a basketball player that has a world of potential. He's so athletic and so talented in so many different areas. And I think he's gone from maybe being one of those kids who just expected to be good to one that realizes he has to work really hard to be really good."
Bolding said had he ended up at Louisville his playing time probably would have been limited this year. Another freshman starter, 6-6 Terrence Williams, averages in double figures and plays the same position for Louisville as Bolding.
Bolding's former Notre Dame Prep teammate, 6-10 freshman forward Terrence Jennings, also plays for No. 7 Louisville.
"They had a lot of returning players coming back this year," Bolding said. "I probably would have played a little, but I don't think I would have seen as much time as I have here.
"I've learned a lot here at Duquesne in a short time. I'm still trying to get adjusted to the speed of the game and playing hard all the time on offense and defense. You don't get any easy breaks at this level."
