How Scary Is Marques Bolden, Saudi Arabian Players Can Only Hold Him For 2-3 Minutes

Indonesian basketball team player, Marques Bolden (right). (Photo: Instagram @official_timnasbasket)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian basketball national team appeared mighty against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup Group A, Tuesday, July 12. The Red and White squad won with a striking score of 80-54.

Marques Bolden became a star in this match by scoring a double-double. He had 32 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks in 37 minutes.

Saudi Arabia coach, Mohamed Mounir Youssef Elkerdany admitted, Bolden was a scourge for his team in that match. He did not deny that the presence of the naturalized Indonesian national team player made a big change.

"Indonesia has Marques Bolden who makes a huge difference. He is good at playing paint and guarding the ring," said Ekerdany, as reported by Antara.

"We tried to play defensively to dampen Bolden's productivity in the paint area so there was a guard around him, but it only worked for two to three minutes," he continued.

For Bolden, this is his first official match with the Indonesian basketball team in front of his own supporters. The NBA G-League player admitted that he was amazed by the extraordinary support from supporters who shouted his name during the match.

He also feels honored to represent Indonesia. "The fans have accepted me with open arms," Bolden said.

According to the 24-year-old player, this is what makes him able to appear superior with the Red and White Squad. He is enthusiastic to give something more with the national team.

"Had the conditions been different, the environment was not friendly for me and the team, of course the result would have been completely different," said Marques Bolden.