Chris Bolden, Tech basketball recruit, to play football ‘for the love of the game’
Loading ...Georgia Tech’s newest basketball recruit has decided to go out for football for his senior year of high school.
North Gwinnett High School shooting guard Chris Bolden reported to football practice on Monday and will play wide receiver. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound combo guard committed to play basketball at Georgia Tech last Saturday over offers from Miami, Southern California, and Virginia Tech, among others. (click on story link)
Bolden skipped football the last two years to focus on his blossoming basketball career. And he wasn’t happy about doing it.
“I don’t want to look back and have any regrets about not playing football,” Bolden said. “I’m just playing because I love the game. There’s nothing in Georgia like being out there on Friday nights with the band playing and everything. I don’t want to sit in the stands; I want to be out there playing.”
What about playing both sports at Georgia Tech? Bolden laughed. “I will be playing basketball only there.”
What do we think? We love it. Of course, it would not be a good thing if Chris got injured. But he’s in a good position with his college scholarship secured, along with a basketball state championship ring from when he played at Norcross last year. This is refreshing to see. We miss the days of high school kids playing multiple sports rather than “specializing” in one.
Now it’s YOUR turn. What do you think? Please post below.
- Holy Innocents’ OF Skye Bolt, who is a top prospect for the MLB Draft, will play in Sunday’s Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego. Bolt has committed to North Carolina on a baseball scholarship. Holy Innocents’ coach Dylan Deal on Bolt: “With one year left to play, Skye is already in the top ten in every offensive category (at our school). He will likely go down as the most productive baseball player to ever garner the Golden Bear uniform. Perhaps the two are inseparable, but as good as Skye the baseball player is, I like Skye the person even better. His heart is bigger than his arm and his bat.”
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35 comments Add your comment
GT Fan
August 11th, 2011
12:40 am
Firrrrrst!
RomeDawg
August 11th, 2011
3:29 am
Good luck! Given his height and others skils that led to his scholly from Tech he is probably a pretty good wide out.
Jacket Man
August 11th, 2011
6:40 am
Before anyone says anything negative, Coach Gregory fully supports the decision that Chris has made to play for his High School Football team. In fact, he’s publicly stated that he thought it could possibly even help his game.
MaconDawg
August 11th, 2011
6:57 am
@JACKET MAN, when and where did Coach Gregory “publicly state” anything? Since Bolden has yet to sign, that would YET ANOTHER NCAA VIOLATION. Get your facts straight!
As far as Bolden playing football, I think that’s super cool. Wish more of these “one sport” prima donnas would do that same thing. I love Bolden’s toughness and attitude. Hope Chris has a great experience with football, and best of luck with college.
swampjacket
August 11th, 2011
7:31 am
Aw man…Now I really love this kid! His outlook is rare with his level of talent..not to mention that hoopsters that play football always seem to have a little extra toughness. And the way he described Friday nights….He’s the kind you want around your program!
Max Sizemore
August 11th, 2011
7:32 am
It’s laudable that Bolden wants to play two sports, but a very bad idea. I’ve seen a lot of high school basketball, most of it in the 80s and 90s, and I’ve seen a lot of football/basketball hybrids. And the pounding a body takes from playing football really has an effect on a basketball player’s fluidity and quickness. Chris, if you happen to be reading this, get some other opinions.
yearofthedawg
August 11th, 2011
7:33 am
I think its great! The crowds at his high school games will be about the same size as the ones that come to Tech games, so if he decides to play in college this will be great preparation.
GTJoe
August 11th, 2011
7:47 am
Doubt he’s going to take much of a pounding playing Wide Receiver….
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 11th, 2011
7:59 am
Commend the young man. He only has those High School times once in his life so he should make the most of it. Enjoy the year and stay healthy!
twest
August 11th, 2011
8:02 am
Carvell my esteemed cohort Clyde Boogie said “Tell Carvell to quit trying to look hard on his pic, cause he ain’t afraid of you” Clyde is a bad Cat if i say so myself!!!!
Nix
August 11th, 2011
8:11 am
Wow, Yech’s football program is so bottom of the barrel they are now accepting kids that haven’t even played the sport in 2 years?
The Johnson experiment is officially over.
Buzz
August 11th, 2011
8:39 am
Nix your an Idiot, re read the article!!!!! TROLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!
slydog
August 11th, 2011
8:42 am
Sounds like he has his head on straight. You can never get your high school life back. Ever. We all pine over it less than a year after we leave. He is right: There is nothing like playing under the lights with the band playing on Fridays. Such an accurate statement.
RambleOn84
August 11th, 2011
8:47 am
RE: Nix’s post:
No one ever accused UGA fans of being smart…
CFBfan
August 11th, 2011
8:48 am
Did this kid transfer from Norcross to North Gwinnett?
Burdell
August 11th, 2011
8:50 am
And the gold medal for reading comprehension goes to…..Nix.
Let ‘em play football…GO BLUE DEVILS!!
Ramblin Man
August 11th, 2011
8:52 am
Your only young once. If you enjoy multiple sports then go for it.
Now if playing multiple sports causing to many head injuries and leads you to being an idiot like Nix I say stick to playing on the xbox.
slydog
August 11th, 2011
9:15 am
Nix didn’t even have to read the article. Look at the picture. I’m pretty certain if a photo was available that shows Bolden wearing a football jersey recently, it would have been posted.
bucket
August 11th, 2011
9:22 am
Good story. I hope Mr. Bolden enjoys his final year of high school and has a safe and productive football season.
Worm
August 11th, 2011
9:40 am
What’s the deal with C.J. Curry?
5150 UOAD
August 11th, 2011
9:42 am
NIX? People don’t pick on NIX. We know Patrick NIX can’t read. Hell, he couldn’t read a defense while at Tech or Miami when he was the OC. Pat NIX stick to sucking at football coaching and being an Auburn Grad we would expect no less.
gern
August 11th, 2011
10:12 am
Good for him and I hope he enjoys his Sr year of high school. Sure there is a risk of injury but there is a risk of injury playing summer league basketball too.
http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/Heralded-Notre-Dame-basketball-recruit-Eric-Katenda-blinded-in-left-eye-080511
Look LeBron played football until his JR in high school and then he gave it up. Sure did not hurt his basketball career.
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Upstate Jacket
August 11th, 2011
12:43 pm
@Sizemore, those high school wide receivers really take a beating from those 155 pound cornerbacks! Chris, have a great senior year!
Buckhead Dawg
August 11th, 2011
1:34 pm
Punch em in the face!…and then lose to your archrival 90% of the time. Ahahahaha!!
Techie
August 11th, 2011
7:19 pm
Great idea! He may end up on Tech’s football team. Oh; Duckhead Dawg just like UGA does to UF. In fact UF will beat you this year as well.
Techie
August 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
Buckhead Dawg : Interesting handle. Buckhead, that where all of the phony millionairs live isn’t it?
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
August 11th, 2011
10:31 pm
Good for Bolden. He should enjoy it while he can.
BYRDDAWG
August 11th, 2011
11:45 pm
I like this kid already……he sounds like the anti-Reggie Ball!
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Joshua Barlowe
August 12th, 2011
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He’s a kid – let him be a kid. Let him enjoy his senior year and do whatever he wants.
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