Bolden selects WVU

West Virginia secured a 2015 verbal commitment on the hardwood Wednesday when Covington (Ky.) Holmes point guard James Bolden selected the Mountaineers.

Bolden, 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, choose West Virginia in somewhat of a surprise over perceived favorite Butler along with scholarship offers from Purdue, Xavier and Ohio.

"West Virginia was just the best place for me to go because when I went on the visit it felt like I was home. I love the coaching staff and loved the way coach Huggins coaches. It would be an honor to play for him," he said.

"It was hard because the others were nice too but West Virginia just seemed like the best fit," he said.

A Rivals.com three-star prospect, Bolden averaged around 20 points and 4 rebounds per game a season ago and joins Huntington Prep (W.Va.) big man Levi Cook as commitments in the class of 2015. He currently plays for the Nike EYBL Travelers and is averaging 10-points per game on top of shooting around 53-percent from three.

Nicknamed, "Beetle," Bolden is an athletic scoring lead guard that can score from all three-levels and is considered one of the better ball handlers in this class. Also a quality defender, Bolden has quick hands and is active on that end of the floor.

"He told me I was getting the ball in my hands right away and I'm just a great teammate overall. I can score, find the open man and control the team when the team can't hear the coach," he said.

Assistant coach Erik Martin was the lead recruiter for Bolden and the two had developed a close bond over the course of the process even outside the realms of basketball.

"He helped me with everything even with it wasn't about basketball," he said. "He's just a great coach."

The scoring point-guard plans to sign his letter of intent during the early period this fall and considers his recruitment over.

"I'm a Mountaineer," he said.

For more on Bolden including detailed scouting report, join the discussion on the Blue Lot.

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