Born in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1985, Bokolo left the country aged 3 to move to Belgrade, Yugoslavia. At the age of 5, he moved to Strasbourg, France. Later, he joined the National basketball academy (INSEP), alongside Johan Petro and Terence Parker. Due to his successful international career with France youth, he then joined Le Mans, the team with whom he would win his first honors. He caught the eyes of the world with strong performances at the 2006 World Championships. After five years in Sarthe, Bokolo joined BCM Gravelines in 2008.