After selecting guard Jared McCain with the 16th pick on Wednesday in the first round of the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers have bolstered their frontcourt by adding UCLA center Adem Bona. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game as a sophomore.
Bona’s hustle, motor, and athleticism are instantly eye-catching. Playing professionally in the Turkish Basketball League before heading to the States to play for UCLA, Bona has built rarely thick skin for a player his age.
Despite being undersized at 6’8″, Bona possesses an impressive 7’3.75″ wingspan, which allows him to overcome those…for lack of a better word, shortcomings and be a fierce paint defender.
Bona is capable of holding down a role early on for the Sixers and will have an opportunity to earn minutes behind Joel Embiid and Paul Reed.
Considering the potential value of Reed’s contract as a potential trade asset during the season, it would not be shocking to see Bona as the heir to the backup center role, but that is far from a certainty at this moment. Still, the optionality to do so cannot go unmentioned.
With the draft now in the rearview, it’s time for Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers to focus on free agency, which will begin Sunday. The team continues to look for a top talent to place next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
