UCLA basketball looking for play makers with Bolden, Octeus unavailable

It has been a rough week for UCLA basketball.

Forward Jonah Bolden was ruled ineligible. Colorado State point guard Jon Octeus, who was attempting to jump to UCLA as a graduate student, was reportedly denied admission.

It follows a rough spring, where underclassmen Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Zach Lavine, all guards, declared for the NBA draft. All were taken in the first round.

Which leaves the Bruins in need of players to step up as play makers.

Bryce Alford has an off-guard background, but did back up Anderson at point guard. Norman Powell was more a finisher on the wing. Isaac Hamilton, who sat out as a redshirt last season, and Noah Allen, who saw limited time a year ago, also lean toward scoring.

Bolden, part of the 2014-15 recruiting class, was expected to help facilitate the offense. Octeus was expected to bridge the gap at point guard until North Hollywood Campbell Hall’s Aaron Holiday arrives a year from now.

But the NCAA denied Bolden, who will sit out as a redshirt, and UCLA denied Octeus, according to The Coloradan.

The news of Octeus came the same day UCLA’s television schedule was finalized.