Despite UCLA’s disappointing season, Adem Bona proved to be a bright spot for the program and looks to be a sleeper pick in the NBA Draft. The six-foot-ten big man has shown growth in his game as one of the more experienced members of the Bruins this season. Not only that, Bona has remained an elite defensive prospect that has intrigued NBA scouts and draft analysts for years.
Adem Bona 2024 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Up to this point, Adem Bona has played his entire collegiate career at UCLA under head coach Mick Cronin. In his time at UCLA, Bona has demonstrated impressive athleticism and defensive ability as well as terrific motor to boot. As a freshman, the Nigerian-born forward/center played a more limited role behind upperclassmen like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and alongside fellow freshman Peyton Watson. Jaquez, who has impressed as a rookie in the NBA this season, allowed Bona to focus fully on defense and demonstrate his defensive prowess. This past season, Bona took an expanded role on offense due to his experience. On the season, Bona averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Bona also averaged 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks a game this season. He shot 58.8% from the field and 69.6% from the free-throw line while taking and missing one three this season.
Bona obtained several awards in the two years he spent at UCLA. For his freshman season in 2023, Bona received a Pac-12 All-Defense selection, a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection, and the Pac-12 Rookie of the Year award. For this past season, Bona was named to the All-Pac-12 first team, a second Pac-12 All-defense selection, and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Bona’s name also appears on the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Additionally, he received the Wooden Award for preseason.
Strengths
The biggest feather in Bona’s cap is his defense abilities paired with his athleticism. Bona stands at six-foot-ten with a seven-plus-foot wingspan and weighs 235 pounds. Bona is physically strong and knows how to effectively utilize his size to out-muscle opponents. He also has a good first step and is an explosive leaper. His explosive leaping is most apparent when Bona goes for a highlight block or big-time lob.
Specifically on defense, Bona proved himself to be versatile and impactful as a defender during his time at UCLA. Bona effectively uses his physical gifts like his long arms and leaping ability to provide high-level rim protection. He also uses his long arms to be disruptive, picking off passes and balls. He is very quick and mobile as a center, which allows him to be a switchable defender against smaller players. Bona’s mobility allows him to work in a variety of different defensive coverages and defend in space. Additionally, Bona is a solid rebounder who plays physically when grabbing boards. Not only that, Bona just plays the game with high energy and motor, where he is constantly giving multiple efforts on every play.
Offensively, Bona thrives as a screener, cutter, and lob threat. His strong frame allows Bona to set tough screens and roll hard to the basket, where he finishes well around the basket. Particularly, Bona is a very good finisher, shooting 65% at the rim. He also has a quick first step, so he can beat slower defenders when he goes into a post-up. As a lob threat, Bona is constantly racing down the floor and using his explosive leaping to catch highlight lobs.
Weaknesses
For Bona’s weaknesses, the most apparent one is that Bona doesn’t have a versatile offensive game. He isn’t a floor-spacer who can shoot nor can he create his own shot. He isn’t very likely to develop a three-point shot either. Additionally, Bona is a poor free-throw shooter who teams can hack. Bona, as demonstrated at UCLA this season, isn’t a great playmaking hub, turning the ball over 2.5 times per game compared to his 1.2 assists. His offensive role in the NBA would most likely be limited to lob-catching and as a roll-man. Also, Bona’s processing of the game, on both ends, can be slow and he would need to improve in that regard.
NBA Comparison
Bona’s game and playstyle are very reminiscent of several players. One name that comes to mind is Bismack Biyombo, due to similarities in their rim protection and limited offensive game. Another name would Kevon Looney as they have similar frames to one another. Daniel Gafford would also be a good comparison due to also having a similar frame and high athleticism.
