Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Adem Bona

Discover the career path of Adem Bona, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Adem Bona Okoro is a Nigerian-Turkish professional basketball player currently with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. He played college basketball at UCLA, earning recognition as a McDonald's All-American in high school. During his time with the Bruins, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023. In 2024, he received further accolades, including a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and being voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Bona was drafted by the 76ers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 2019: Move to Pınar Karşıyaka

In February 2019, Adem Bona moved to Pınar Karşıyaka and continued competing at the youth level.

October 2019: Professional Debut

On October 30, 2019, Adem Bona made his professional debut for Pınar Karşıyaka, playing one minute in a 77–57 win over Donar in the FIBA Europe Cup.

2019: FIBA U16 European Championship

In 2019, at the FIBA U16 European Championship in Udine, Adem Bona averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and four blocks per game, leading Turkey to fifth place and earning a spot on the All-Star Five.

September 2020: Joins Prolific Prep

In September 2020, Adem Bona continued his career at Prolific Prep in Napa, California.

November 2021: Commitment to UCLA

On November 1, 2021, Adem Bona committed to playing college basketball for UCLA, choosing them over an offer from Kentucky.

2022: Freshman Season at UCLA

In 2022, Adem Bona began his freshman season at the University of California, Los Angeles, facing initial challenges before improving.

2022: Top Recruit

In 2022, Adem Bona was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in his class.

January 2023: Pac-12 Freshman of the Week Honors

In January 2023, Adem Bona was named the Pac-12's freshman of the week after a comeback win over Washington State, followed by a season-high performance against Washington. He consecutively won the freshman of the week honors after beating USC.

2023: Pac-12 Honors

In 2023, Adem Bona was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

2023: Awards and NBA Draft Declaration

In 2023, Adem Bona was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive and Pac-12 All-Freshman teams, voted Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and received honorable mention for the All-Pac-12 team. He declared for the 2023 NBA draft but later withdrew.

2023: Continued Development and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year

In 2023, Adem Bona worked on his offensive game and was later named to the All-Pac-12 first team and voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He also had career-highs of 28 points and four blocks in a 75–44 win over Saint Francis.

July 2024: Drafted by Philadelphia 76ers

In July 2024, Adem Bona was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft with the 41st overall pick.

October 23, 2024: NBA Debut

On October 23, 2024, Adem Bona made his NBA debut in a 124-109 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

2024: NBA Draft and Pac-12 Recognition

In 2024, Adem Bona was named first-team All-Pac-12, voted Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the NBA draft.