![Jonah Bolden of the UCLA Bruins shoots over Kadeem Allen of the Arizona Wildcats during a college basketball game in ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170625074246im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/x/6/8/7/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gwxato.png/1498209083281.jpg)
Brett Brown and Bruce Bolden were on opposite sides of many battles during their NBL careers in the 1990s.
Brown was the coach of North Melbourne Giants when Bolden was a star import at South East Melbourne Magic, but the pair now have something important to bond over as Brown's Philadelphia 76ers drafted Jonah Bolden, the son of Bruce, with the 36th pick of Friday's NBA Draft.
The Australian 21 year old made a late run up the draft boards following an impressive season with Serbian club FMP Belgrade and the 208-centimetre forward with outstanding athleticism was seen as a potential late first round pick.
If he landed in those top-30 picks, he would have received a guaranteed NBA contract but instead he was snapped up by the Sixers where he joins fellow Australian Ben Simmons on the roster.
Both Simmons and Bolden are sons of retired NBL imports, both left Australia to take up high school scholarships in the US and both will have their rookie seasons next year after a foot injury stopped Simmons from playing this year.
There are no guarantees that Bolden will make the Sixers' roster, but his game looks a strong fit for the athletic, defensive-orientated Sixers who traded for the No.1 pick in the draft where they took Washington point guard Markelle Fultz.
"I'll bring my length, my ability to get the rebound, push the floor and create for my teammates," Bolden said.
"I think that's a great fit for what Philadelphia and my teammates are trying to do for the future. With Ben being able to create off the rebound, Markelle brings it up and creates. We've just got a long team, and I feel like I'll fit well."
Bolden said he aimed to make the roster and he believed his Australian connections with Brown and Simmons would help.
"You know, having an Australian coach, having Australian teammates definitely helps. I just know I can approach them off the court and know I can speak to them on a daily basis about anything.
"I know that coming from Australia, we all have each other's backs, so that definitely helps."
Simmons and Bolden haven't spoken much in recent years but Bolden said Simmons reached out to him in the past few months.
Bolden also praised his father's influence and his words will be ringing in his ears once he starts trying to make the Sixers' roster.
"He did play professionally for 17 years and he tells me 'Carry yourself as a professional'," Bolden said.
"He said that from day one, treat others the way you want to be treated. On the court work your butt off. Buy into the system. Any coach or any team you're playing for, just buy in.
"The ball will come, the shots will come, just buy in, play defence and work."
The NBL also celebrated some success with Adelaide 36ers import Terrance Ferguson being drafted in the first round at pick 21 by Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ferguson, 19, shunned college to become professional and signed with Adelaide 36ers last season, helping them to the finals before returningto train for the US draft.
Sydney centre Isaac Humphries and Melbourne centre Mangok Mathiang both missed out on being drafted but are seen as strong chances to play in the NBA Summer League.
NBL players Nathan Sobey and Mitch Creek have earned summer league invites to play for the Utah Jazz.
NBA fans were rocked by a superstar trade on draft day with Chicago Bulls sending star guard Jimmy Butler and 16th pick Justin Patton to Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and seventh pick Lauri Markkanen. The Brooklyn Nets and LA Lakers also completed a bumper deal with Brook Lopez and 27th pick Kyle Kuzma heading to LA for D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov.
Despite rumours that  Boston Celtics would use their third pick to trade for a veteran star, they held onto it and drafted Duke forward Jayson Tatum while the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball.
The 2017 NBA Summer League campaign tips off in Orlando on July 2.
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