Jonah Bolden finally is eligible to play for UCLA basketball team

For a season, UCLA’s Jonah Bolden watched and waited, unable to play because of eligibility issues.

Among the questions to be answered at the UCLA basketball team’s exhibition game, against Cal State L.A. at 7:30 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion on Friday, maybe the most important will be: How good can Bolden be?

The Australian was a four-star recruit out of high school, and UCLA Coach Steve Alford thinks Bolden’s size and athleticism make him a mismatch for any guard that must defend him.

“He looks different,” Alfrod said. “He’s not 6-4, he’s 6-9.”

Friday’s game won’t provide any definitive answers, but it should offer a glimpse to how the Bruins will adapt to losing two of their most effective players from last season, Norman Powell and Kevon Looney.

With Bolden playing a third guard position, UCLA could opt to go big, with 6-9, 260-pound forward Tony Parker and 7-foot center Thomas Welsh.

In the backcourt, Bryce Alford has said he will again play point guard, but freshman Aaron Holliday could become a distributor to set up the strongest part of Alford’s game: his jump shot.

UCLA opens the regular season Nov. 13 at Pauley Pavilion against Monmouth.