LOS ANGELES — UCLA sophomore center Adem Bona is on the cusp of hearing his name called in this week’s NBA Draft. Although Bona recorded a 40-inch vertical jump, number one amongst centers, he may have to wait until day two, as he is currently projected to be a second-round pick.
If the 2024 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is picked, he would make it the third consecutive year a Bruin has been selected in the NBA Draft: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Amari Bailey and Jaylen Clark in 2023, and Peyton Watson in 2022.
Bona averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots this past season. The 21-year-old declared for the draft in April. He also declared for the draft after being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023. However, he withdrew his name while rehabilitating his surgically repaired torn shoulder labrum and stayed for his sophomore season, becoming the Bruins’ go-to player.
The 6-foot-8 243-pound center, who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and represents Turkey in international competition, is an intriguing prospect, with a nearly 7-foot-4 wingspan.
Bona tied for the best standing vertical leap (35 inches) at the NBA Draft Combine in May. He also registered a 40-inch max vertical leap, which ranked eighth overall (behind guards and forwards) and number one amongst centers, providing metrics to quantify the athleticism he was known for in Westwood.
Adem Bona (3) of the UCLA Bruins blocks the shot by Boogie Ellis (5) of the USC Trojans in the first half of a Men’s NCAA basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
He brings rim protection via shot blocking and his strong frame allows him to hold his own defensively in the middle. Offensively, he can run the floor and is primarily known as a lob threat who energized the Bruins with big-time slam dunks.
Meanwhile, an area for improvement will be his ability to stay out of foul trouble, as he only averaged 26.5 minutes per game and fouled out of seven games this past season.
“I try to keep it simple, show my strengths,” Bona said after a recent workout with the Indiana Pacers. “Stay true to myself. My athleticism, my speed, to be able to communicate, to be able to commit to defense to complement the team.
“Obviously, when I work out with a bunch of different guys that I’ve never played with before so I think communication is key, just try to show teams that I can communicate defensively and offensively.”
The first round of the NBA Draft begins on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on ABC and ESPN. The second round starts at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
“I like teams that share the ball and play fast…I feel like my style of play would fit the Pacers very well.”
Center Adem Bona spoke about how he feels he’d fit with the Blue & Gold, how @UCLAMBB head coach Mick Cronin helped build his character and what it would mean to hear… pic.twitter.com/elKDvywLqt
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 20, 2024
Related Articles
Pittsburg safety Jadyn Hudson commits to UCLA football
University of Redlands football program provides local prospects with opportunity
New UCLA chancellor Julio Frenk takes charge: What his appointment means for the Bruins
Women’s College World Series: UCLA softball season ends with loss to Stanford
Women’s College World Series: UCLA blanked by Oklahoma