Newly-acquired Zag set to make a home for himself
SPOKANE, Wash. (BVM) — Transferring is always strenuous, especially in the world of college sports. After making the difficult decision to begin with, there’s the task of packing up and leaving behind the known for the unknown. Friends and family now watch from afar as an adjustment phase takes place, featuring growing pains and adapting to a new environment all while trying to focus on athletics. School, sports and social life are all flipped upside down.
But for new Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Rasir Bolton, change has been the only constant throughout his basketball career. The Petersburg, Va. native has been through the transfer process numerous times and this will be his third collegiate program in four years. He was even prone to bouncing around in high school, as he attended four different institutions prior to graduating in 2018. Needless to say, finding the right fit has been anything but easy for Bolton, who will be granted two years of eligibility upon joining the Zags.
And in every scenario, changes were prompted by instances that had essentially nothing to do with Bolton’s talents. In his two seasons at Iowa State, the guard averaged 15 points per game, four rebounds and three assists while starting in 50 of the 51 games he played. Last season proved to be his best year yet once he earned All-Big 12 third team honors. Even prior to his time as a Cyclone, he averaged 11.6 points per game in a limited role as a freshman at Penn State.
In high school, Bolton was equally impressive as a senior playing for Massanutten Military Academy. He led the Colonels to a program-record 32 wins and a No. 1 prep school ranking while averaging 20 points, five assists and four rebounds a contest. Outside of prep school, he was a star on the Team Loaded Virginia squad that went on to win the 2017 Adidas Uprising championship, starting every game along the way. By signing day, ESPN ranked Bolton as the top point guard in Virginia and a four-star recruit.
Normally a player of this caliber would have no trouble finding a home to hoop, yet despite his talent, undesirable coaching situations have forced Bolton to continually explore different options. The end of his freshman year at Millwood saw the resignation of head coach Chaz Starnes, which resulted in a transfer to Carlisle for his sophomore season. This time around it was head coach Jason Niblett who was let go due to performance issues, as Bolton was on the move again. It wasn’t even halfway through his junior year when his new school, Bishop Sullivan, underwent a complete overhaul in the athletic department that included changes to the staff from the top to the bottom.
None of these situations compare, however, to what Bolton endured in his first collegiate season at Penn State. During a discussion with then-head coach Pat Chambers, a racial slur was used by the coach that involved the word “noose” to describe his control over Bolton. As shocking as that was, the lack of accountability or response by the university was almost as equally confusing. According to Bolton, the athletic department tried to suggest a psychologist to Bolton, suggesting that he needed to adjust to Chambers’ demeanor. Even a few of his teammates showed little support or empathy towards the situation.
To make matters worse, this wasn’t the first time Chambers had displayed racial insensitivity towards Bolton. The coach made stereotypical comments about Bolton’s parents during his recruitment to Penn State, using the words “organized” and “well-spoken” as descriptions. Upon confrontation, Bolton stated that Chambers did not apologize and it wasn’t until the comments were made public that the coach decided to make an official statement of regret.
The damage had already been done, however and Bolton had no desire to return to Penn State following the noose remark and lack of support from his community. Once again, to an extreme extent in this scenario, it was turmoil on the part of the coaching staff that derailed yet another opportunity for success.
And while the move to Iowa State was a necessary change, it didn’t prove to be a permanent one. A disastrous 2-22 season that included an 18 game losing streak and no conference wins resulted in the firing of Steve Prohm in March, who had been with the program for six years. Prior to this, Bolton had stated his intentions of returning, yet staff turnover caused him to change his mind.
“On March 11th I stated my continued commitment to #CyclONEnation,” Bolton tweeted. “I later learned that every decision is not ours to make.”
Upon entering the transfer portal, Bolton received interest from a number of schools, but it was Gonzaga that intrigued him the most, and for good reason. The Bulldogs have established a model of consistent success under the leadership of Mark Few that includes six straight Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament and a runner-up finish in 2021. GU has dominated the West Coast Conference as well with nine consecutive regular season titles. Factor in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, and the Zags are poised to make another run at a national championship.
With a strong foundation behind him, there’s a chance Bolton will finally make a home for himself at GU, even if it is only for two seasons at most.
“I am excited to be a part of the Gonzaga family and I can’t wait to get to work,” Bolton said in a press release issued by the program.
Perhaps for the first time in his basketball career, Bolton can focus on his game without worrying about matters outside of his control.
