Recruiting Report: Jordan Bolton (2016)
September 9th Update (RJ) Apple Valley senior guard Jordan Bolton was the third leading scorer of the state champion Eagles putting up 11.8 points per game shooting a healthy 45.5 percent from the floor, 80 percent from the foul line…
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Continue ReadingSeptember 9th Update (RJ)
Apple Valley senior guard Jordan Bolton was the third leading scorer of the state champion Eagles putting up 11.8 points per game shooting a healthy 45.5 percent from the floor, 80 percent from the foul line and a solid 35.3 percent at the arc.
Bottom line, Bolton did his job between Tre Jones and Gary Trent Jr as the scoring guard. He also kicked in a couple boards, a couple assists, and a steal a night as well. Without a doubt a memorable junior year.
Jordan’s Grassroots campaign saw him join the Minnesota Comets top team and Bolton’s plan was to improve a certain few areas of his game and he felt he did that from April to July, when he was healthy.
“The parts of my game (Grassroots basketball) helped advance was my ball handling and my floater in the lane,” Bolton said. “I thought my overall (Grassroots) experience was great although I had to sit out the last few tournaments due to injury.”
Now Jordan’s focus is defending the Apple Valley state championship. Bolton is once again joined by seniors Cameron Kirksey, Brock Bertram, and Aaron Ertz plus of course Trent and Jones.
“I'm feeling really good about this year,” Jordan stated. “I feel we have a great shot at winning state again this year and my goal is to just be the best captain I can be and do whatever it takes each and every game to get us the win.
“The steps I need to take in order to do so is working hard inside and outside of practice and leading the young guys in the mindset of repeating again because that's the goal!”
Bolton has the ability to set his feet and score, hit the pull-up and runner on the move, and produce in transition. He’s also becoming a better ball handler so he’s a guy that can be looked to at both positions in the future.
At the moment his future is wide open as he is focused on the months ahead.
“There isn't really that many schools showing super interest as of right now and I haven't set up any visits right now but when the season starts and schools start contacting me again I'll take it from there but I'm keeping all doors open when it comes to the next level!”
Update from 5/4/15 by Alex Conover
Jordan Bolton proved a few things his junior year at Apple Valley: he can score the ball. He can play in a high-octane offense. He comes from a winning program.
But questions remain in his recruitment. Which level does he project at? Which position should he play?
That’s why his spring and summer play with Comets Lewis 17U will be crucial. And so far, so good. Bolton has provided a big scoring spark for his new team, and he's improving in all other areas.
“I think the coaches are looking for me to be able to show I can be a true point guard, and not just a combo guard,” Bolton said. “I love Coach Lewis and his coaching style, and the Comets are a great group of guys to be around; they really gave me a warm welcome when I joined the team.”
And after playing several weekends with his new squad, the college interest is already rolling in.
“SDSU, Air Force, Concordia-St. Paul, Wayne State, Southwest State, Viterbo University and Sioux Falls are all the new schools I've been hearing from,” Bolton said.
Bolton and Comets Lewis will play in the Sanford League this weekend in Nebraska.
Update from 2/25/15 by Alex Conover
All of a sudden, Jordan Bolton (#24 in NHR’s 2016 rankings) is practically an Apple Valley elder.
With the graduation of a stellar 2014 class, the Eagles have just three seniors (Christiansen, Parham, Korba) in their rotation. Most of the time there isn’t a senior in the starting lineup. Rather than rely on experience, Apple Valley has achieved a 24-2 record with raw talent. And so far, so good.
Bolton, who is third on the team in scoring with 13.2 PPG, lets his opponent focus on Gary Trent, Jr. and Brock Bertram. That’s when he goes to work.
“Sometimes if the defense is really focusing on Gary and Brock, it usually opens up for me to attack on offense,” Bolton said. “Also, when teams try to face guard and lock onto me, it opens up for other kids on the team. Anyone can score on our team, even the players coming off the bench for us can score.”
NDSU, Furman, and Minot State have called Bolton with recruiting interest, and he has received letters from University of Mary, Augustana, Sioux Falls and Northern State. St. Cloud State has been in contact with his coach as well. He plans to start going on campus visits this summer.
Like the rest of his teammates (and the rest of Minnesota… and the rest of the nation…), Bolton has been watching former teammate Tyus Jones at Duke. To him, the success on a national stage is no surprise.
“It's not too crazy because we all expected it,” Bolton said, “but it is very exciting to see him doing so well on the big stage like he always has. With him gone, everyone that didn't play big roles in the past just had to play big roles for us. The only way we will succeed is if we all play our roles.”
Apple Valley hosts Henry Sibley tonight at 7 PM to open up section play.