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Former Kentucky Wildcats recruit Marques Bolden is remaining at Duke.
Despite strongly considering a transfer, Bolden has opted to remain with the Blue Devils, according to Scout.com’s Evan Daniels.
Duke freshman Marques Bolden will return to Duke next season. Former five-star prospect.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 3, 2017
Duke has since confirmed the report.
This is actually great news for Kentucky. For all of Bolden’s struggles this past season, he’s still got a world of potential and should make a strong run at starting next season next to incoming freshman Wendell Carter Jr.
That means Duke should be less of a threat now to land Mohamed Bamba, who Kentucky remains heavily in the running for, perhaps even the favorite. Duke would been a bigger threat for Bamba had Bolden transferred, leaving the Blue Devils with a dangerously-thin frontline that Bamba would thrive in.
It’s still going to be a battle to get Bamba, but this certainly helps Kentucky’s efforts, even if it’s just one of many pebbles being factored in.