Adem Bona

Last updated

Adem Bona
No. 30–Philadelphia 76ers
Position Power forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 21)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian / Turkish
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolProlific Prep (Napa, California)
College UCLA (2022–2024)
NBA draft 2024: 2nd round, 41st overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2020 Pınar Karşıyaka
2024–present Philadelphia 76ers
2024 →Delaware Blue Coats
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey
FIBA U18 European Championship
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2019 Greece Team
FIBA U16 European Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2018 Serbia Team

Adem Bona Okoro (born Ikechukwu Stanley Okoro; 28 March 2003) is a Nigerian-Turkish basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. Named a McDonald's All-American in high school, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023. Bona was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. He was selected by the 76ers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.

Contents

Early life and career

Adem Bona Okoro was born Ikechukwu Stanley Okoro in Lagos, Nigeria, as the youngest of five children. [1] [2] He grew up playing association football as a midfielder but switched to basketball due to his height. [3] He often played basketball with makeshift hoops in fields, sometimes without a ball. Okoro was playing for about one year when a video of him drew the attention of Turkish coach Türkay Çakıroğlu, who then contacted Istanbul Basket coach Nevzat Özdemir. [4] At age 13, Bona moved to Turkey, leaving behind the rest of his family, and began his career with Istanbul Basket. [3] [5] In February 2019, he moved to Pınar Karşıyaka and continued competing at the youth level. [6]

On 30 October 2019, Bona made his professional debut for Pınar Karşıyaka, playing one minute in a 77–57 win over Donar in the FIBA Europe Cup. [7] On 16 November, he debuted in the Basketball Super League (BSL), scoring two points in an 84–55 victory over Galatasaray. [8]

High school career

On 18 September 2020, it was announced that Bona would continue his career at Prolific Prep in Napa, California. [9]

Recruiting

Bona was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class, according to major recruiting services. On 1 November 2021, he committed to playing college basketball for UCLA over an offer from Kentucky.

College recruiting information
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Adem Bona
C 		Lagos, Nigeria Prolific Prep (CA)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)225 lb (102 kg)Nov 1, 2021 
Star ratings: Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: 5 stars.svg     ESPN: 5 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 91
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 21   247Sports: 11   ESPN: 13
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "UCLA 2022 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  • "2022 UCLA Bruins Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.

College career

As a freshman at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2022–23, Bona improved after about a month of foul trouble and dropped passes. [10] On 2 January 2023, he was named the Pac-12's freshman of the week after scoring the go-ahead basket in a comeback win over Washington State, followed by a season-high 18 points and three blocks in a victory against Washington. [10] [11] [12] He won consecutive freshman of the week honors after grabbing 10 rebounds along with two blocked shots to help UCLA beat USC. [10] [13] On 2 March, Bona had a career-high 11 rebounds against Arizona State. [1] In the 2023 Pac-12 tournament, he injured his left shoulder in the semifinals against Oregon. [14] He missed the finals against Arizona, who defeated UCLA for the title. [15]

The Bruins received a No. 2 seed in the 2023 NCAA tournament. Bona was cleared to return in their opener, but he did not play in the 86–53 blowout over No. 15 seed UNC Asheville. [16] He returned in the following game against Northwestern, but reaggravated his shoulder during the game late in the game. He was out for two minutes before returning to make a key block in the final minutes to help secure a 68–63 win over the seventh-seeded Wildcats. [17] [18] [19] He was sidelined again for their next game against Gonzaga, which UCLA lost 79–76. [20] For the season, Bona started 32 games and averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game, [21] and led the Bruins with 57 blocks. [22] He converted 67.5% of his field goals, which ranked second in the Pac-12. [22] He was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive and Pac-12 All-Freshman teams and was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. He also received honorable mention for the All-Pac-12 team. [23] After the season, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft, while retaining his college eligibility. [22] Following surgery for a torn labrum in April, which prevented him from engaging in individual workouts prior to the draft, Bona withdrew from the draft. [21]

While recovering from his injury, Bona added a midrange jump shot and post moves to his offensive game. [24] He did not play in the Bruins' tour of Spain or in their exhibition game. In their 2023–24 season opener, he had career-highs of 28 points and four blocks in a 75–44 win over Saint Francis. He also had nine rebounds. [25] [26] Bona was named to the All-Pac-12 first team and voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the second consecutive Bruin to win the award after Jaylen Clark in 2023. [27] He averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, but continued to get into foul trouble. After the season, Bona announced that he was leaving UCLA and declaring for the NBA draft. He finished with 115 career blocks, which ranked sixth in Bruins' history. [28]

Professional career

Philadelphia 76ers / Delaware Blue Coats (2024–present)

On 21 July 2024, Bona was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft with the 41st overall pick. [29] [30] He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a 124-109 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. [31] Throughout his rookie season, Bona has been assigned several times to the Delaware Blue Coats. [32]

National team career

At the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship in Udine, Bona averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and four blocks per game, leading Turkey to fifth place. He ranked second at the tournament in rebounds and blocks and was named to the All-Star Five. [33]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 UCLA 333222.9.675—.5735.3.7.61.77.7
2023–24 UCLA 333326.5.588.000.6965.91.21.11.812.4
Career666524.7.621.000.6525.61.0.81.710.1

Source: [34]

Personal life

In April 2018, Okoro became a Turkish citizen and officially changed his name to Adem Bona. [3] He named himself after Adam in Islam. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins competed in the Pac-12 Conference and were led by head coach Ben Howland. The team ended the season with a 19–14 record and did not participate in the NCAA National Championship tournament or the NIT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Honeycutt</span> American basketball player (1990–2018)

Tyler Deon Honeycutt was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he earned first-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10 as a sophomore in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lazeric Jones</span> American basketball player

Lazeric Deleon Jones is an American former professional basketball player who works as a player development coach for the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, and was named a second-team all-conference player in the Pac-12 in 2012. Jones has also played professionally with the NBA G League as well as overseas in Israel, Greece, Hungary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Holiday</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Aaron Shawn Holiday is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he earned All-American recognition. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 23rd overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Welsh (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Thomas Welsh is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2017–18, Welsh earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 58th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Hands</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Jaylen Joseph Hands is an American professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Varese of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a high school senior in 2017, he was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, and was ranked as a consensus five-star prospect and the No. 3 point guard in the country in the class of 2017 by all major scouting services, including ESPN and 247Sports. Hands earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in his sophomore year with UCLA in 2019. He was selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 56th pick before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He played a season in the NBA G League with Brooklyn's affiliate, the Long Island Nets before beginning his European career in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Wilkes</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Kristafer Aaron Wilkes is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. As a high school senior, he was a McDonald's All-American and named Indiana Mr. Basketball. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He was a starter as a freshman in 2017–18, when he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Brown (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Moses Shirief-Lamar Brown is an American professional basketball player for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles, during the 2019–20 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by first-year head coach Mick Cronin and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. UCLA finished the season with a 19–12 record. After starting slowly at 8–9, they went 11–3 and finished second in the Pac-12 at 12–6. Cronin was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, while junior Chris Smith earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was voted the Pac-12 Most Improved Player. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pac-12 tournament was canceled before the Bruins' first scheduled game in the quarterfinals, and the NCAA tournament was called off as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Juzang</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Jonathan Anh Juzang is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He began his college basketball career playing one season with the Kentucky Wildcats before transferring and spending two seasons with the UCLA Bruins. A two-time all-conference selection in the Pac-12, Juzang earned third-team All-American honors as a junior in 2022. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Tournament Team of the 2021 NCAA tournament, as the Bruins advanced to the Final Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Jaquez Jr.</span> Mexican American basketball player (born 2001)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a Mexican-American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Jaquez was named a consensus second-team All-American and voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year as a senior in 2023. He earned three All-Pac-12 selections, including first-team honors twice. Jaquez was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He was selected by the Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick. He is nicknamed ”Juan Wick” for his Mexican heritage and perceived resemblance to John Wick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyger Campbell</span> American basketball player

Tyger Campbell is an American professional basketball player for Rasta Vechta of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Three times he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Riley</span> American basketball player

Cody Jorden Riley is an American professional basketball player for KK Rogaška of the Premier A Slovenian Basketball League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Smith (basketball, born 1999)</span> American basketball player

Sean Christian Smith is an American professional basketball player for Ironi Kiryat Ata of the Ligat Winner Sal. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a junior in 2020, when he was also named the conference's most improved player. Undrafted out of college, Smith signed a two-way contract to play with the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and their development team, Motor City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peyton Watson</span> American basketball player (born 2002)

Peyton Tyler Watson is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. Watson was selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft with the 30th overall pick.

Amari Bailey is an American professional basketball player for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. In high school, he was selected as a McDonald's All-American and California Mr. Basketball. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, earning all-freshman honors in the Pac-12 Conference in his only season. He was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jules Bernard</span> American basketball player

Jules Liam Bernard is an American professional basketball for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by fourth-year head coach Mick Cronin, and they played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was named a second-team All-American. He was voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and received first-team All-Pac-12 honors along with guard Tyger Campbell. Guard Jaylen Clark was named to the second team and was voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was placed on the conference's all-defensive team along with forward Adem Bona, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Amari Bailey joined Bona on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, and Cronin was voted the Pac-12 Coach of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Clark</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Jaylen Bryce Clark is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference, earning national honors as both the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, when he was also voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection, Clark was named second-team All-Pac-12 as well that year. He was selected by the Timberwolves in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2023–24 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins were led by fifth-year head coach Mick Cronin, and they played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. It was the Bruins' final season as a member of the Pac-12 before joining the Big Ten Conference on July 1, 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 "Adem Bona". UCLA Athletics. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Adem Bona kimdir?" (in Turkish). ABCSpor. August 5, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Finally playing with same age, Bona takes leadership role in quest for podium top step". FIBA. August 13, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  4. ↑ Arıöz, Levent (March 9, 2019). "Yeni Bobby Adem". 9 Eylül Gazetesi (in Turkish). Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Karşınızda Adem Bona" (in Turkish). TRT Spor. August 18, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Adem Bona'yı Pınar Karşıyaka Kaptı!" (in Turkish). Eurohoops. February 3, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Pınar Karşıyaka, Groningen'e fark attı! 16 yaşındaki Adem Bona ilk kez..." Hürriyet (in Turkish). October 31, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Adem Bona: "Gösterdikleri Destekten Ötürü Taraftarlarımıza Teşekkür Ediyorum"" (in Turkish). Karşıyaka Basket. November 16, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ Robledillo, Albert (September 18, 2020). "Adem Bona ('03) chooses USA over Europe". Eurohopes. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Bolch, Ben (January 19, 2023). "Making everywhere he goes his happy place, Adem Bona is a rising star for UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Bolch, Ben (January 1, 2023). "Adem Bona takes charge for No. 11 UCLA in blowout win over Washington". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - January 2, 2023". Pac-12 Conference. January 2, 2023. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Pac-12 Men's Basketball Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva - January 9, 2023". Pac-12 Conference. January 9, 2023. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  14. ↑ Grosbard, Adam (March 11, 2023). "Undersized UCLA loses thrilling Pac-12 Tournament title game to Arizona". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  15. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 11, 2023). "UCLA falls to Arizona in Pac-12 title game, hurting chances for a No. 1 NCAA seed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  16. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 16, 2023). "UCLA dodges upset trend, opens NCAA tournament with rout of UNC Asheville". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  17. ↑ Hernandez, Dylan (March 18, 2023). "Don't fret about UCLA. Resilience is part of the Bruins' March Madness style". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  18. ↑ Fattal, Tarek (March 18, 2023). "UCLA edges Northwestern to advance to 3rd straight Sweet Sixteen". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  19. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 21, 2023). "UCLA will need new strategy for Drew Timme if Adem Bona, David Singleton out vs. Gonzaga". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  20. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 23, 2023). "Jubilation turns into heartbreak as UCLA loses to Gonzaga again in NCAA tournament". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "UCLA's Adem Bona returning, Jaylen Clark remains in NBA draft". The Orange County Register. May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 Bolch, Ben (April 19, 2023). "UCLA's Adem Bona declares for NBA draft but will preserve college eligibility". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ "2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference honors and Annual Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  24. ↑ Bolch, Ben (November 6, 2023). "Stopping the biggest UCLA team of the Mick Cronin era could be a tall order". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  25. ↑ Bolch, Ben (November 10, 2023). "Adem Bona lives up to his billing as UCLA's best player in season-opening win". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  26. ↑ Davis, John (November 6, 2023). "UCLA routs St. Francis in season opener to give Mick Cronin a milestone win". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  27. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 12, 2024). "Keeping it in the UCLA family, Adem Bona wins Pac-12 defensive player of the year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  28. ↑ Bolch, Ben (April 12, 2024). "UCLA's Adem Bona declares for NBA draft and bids farewell after two seasons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  29. ↑ "PHILADELPHIA 76ERS SIGN 2024 SECOND-ROUND DRAFT PICK ADEM BONA". NBA.com. July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  30. ↑ Siegel, Brett (June 27, 2024). "Kyle Filipowski to Jazz headlines best picks of 2024 NBA Draft 2nd round". ClutchPoints. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, October 23, 2024". BasketballRef. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  32. ↑ "2024-2025 Delaware Blue Coats Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  33. ↑ "MVP Dominguez headlines All-Star Five in Udine". FIBA.basketball. FIBA. August 17, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Adem Bona College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.