[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni. The initial report is from the 2022-2023 season, but the player withdrew from the 2023 draft class. Updates based on the 2023-24 season are at the bottom.]

Adem Bona
Frame: 6’10”, 235 lbs
Position: Forward/Center
Team: UCLA
2023 draft age: 20
Stats via: ESPN, Barttorvik

Offense

Bona did not play organized basketball until his late teens, yet he became a five-star recruit and ESPN’s 17th-ranked prospect out of high school. Averaging 7.7 points per game this past season for the Bruins, Bona possesses a raw combination of size and athleticism to run the floor and finish strong in the paint.

Much of Bona’s offensive game comes around the rim—51 of his 104 made field goals this season were dunks, posing as a rim-running lob threat which worked well on his UCLA team that often started four guards. 

Although Bona did not attempt a three this season, he was seven for 25 on long twos. His willingness to shoot outside the paint is commendable, but his jump shot needs work. Bona’s free throw percentage should improve as he gains experience—he shot just 57.3 percent on 2.5 attempts per game. 

Getting by on raw athleticism may work at the college level, but Bona may be unable to rely on that in the NBA. He possesses solid footwork but can often get outworked on the glass. His offensive rebounding percentage of 11.4 ranked 27th of 54 high-major Division I centers who played at least 40 percent of their teams’ minutes. However, given Bona’s size, strength, and playing alongside a heavy guard lineup, he should be more effective on the offensive glass. 

Bona committed 1.3 turnovers per game, leading to a turnover percentage of 20.5—ranked twelfth highest of the previously mentioned players. Bona’s lack of experience was sometimes evident; players could knock the ball away and force the issue. Still, Bona can finish over defenders, back down the opposition, and create contact, demonstrated by his 53.2 free throw rate percentage, ranking in the top 20 of the 54 previously mentioned centers.

Defense

Bona is a good shot blocker and capable rim protector—his 9.1 block percentage ranked seventh of the listed Division I centers. Colin Castleton (Florida) and Johni Broome (Auburn) are the only two of the six ranked ahead of Bona with a better steal percentage. Bona was joined by Dereck Lively II (Duke) as the only other freshman center ranked in the top 20 in block percentage. 

While Bona’s 1.7 blocks per game led the team, so did his 3.3 fouls per game. Bona’s 5.8 fouls committed per 40 minutes ranked second highest of the previously mentioned players, highlighting his inexperience. Opposing drivers, slashers, and bigs in the post will look for Bona to bite on pump fakes—while he’s an eager shot blocker, he must work on his discipline as a defender to maximize his potential. 

Bona’s defensive rating of 85 ranked fifth of the 54, just ahead of Lively. Bona could patrol the paint heavily, thanks to the unique four-guard lineup at UCLA, providing opportunities to crash the glass—however, his defensive rebounding percentage of 15.7 ranked 44th. Bona got out-finessed and allowed himself to get out of position. Despite a strong build and a good vertical, Bona struggled to rebound, something he must improve upon at the next level. 

His inexperience and lack of proper positioning may cause issues defending the pick-and-roll. Still, Bona’s game showed flashes at UCLA. He has good footwork and moves well for his size and age. Bona should develop into an above-average defender at the center position, capable of holding his own in the post and altering shots along the perimeter and in the paint. 

Looking Ahead

Bona is a raw center prospect; the foundation is there for him to become a starting-caliber center, but he needs time to learn the game’s nuances. He scored in double digits just eight times, only once in his final 13 games as a Bruin, and recorded over ten rebounds three times. 

Bona wasn’t needed to do much at UCLA—playing alongside four upperclassmen guards. He could fit comfortably within his style, run the floor and defend the paint. He showed flashes of what he could become in the NBA, a rim running big with a high motor who can protect the paint and be that formidable last line of defense. 

Projected to go in the second round, Bona has a similar style and role to other prospects in his draft range (James Nnaji and Lively). However, developing a consistent jumper outside the paint will separate Bona from this bunch. He’s willing to step outside the paint on pick-and-pops and shoot over defenders but lacks consistency in his touch. 

Anticipate a limited role off the bench for much of Bona’s rookie season. A two-way contract is not out of the question- this way, Bona can play against NBA-caliber bigs, gain reps, and continue properly developing his game. Bona’s propensity to foul and inability to rebound effectively will hinder his production and playing time as an NBA player. Bona has to work on his positioning inside, where he can use his athleticism and footwork to make an impact. 

Overall, Bona is a young athletic big capable of being that rim-running lob threat who can switch onto multiple players. He plays good, aggressive defense and should become an above-average defender upon gaining experience. The icing on the cake will be the development of his jump shot; once Bona becomes consistent in his jumper, he can become an above-average two-way big, exceeding expectations of his second-round draft selection.

—Jordan Silbert

Update

Bona made strides in his sophomore season as a scorer (12.4 points from 7.7) and free throw shooter (69.6 percent on 4.5 attempts). He loves establishing position in the post and utilizing a powerful drop step to finish over his left shoulder. Bona is an eager screen-setter who rolls hard to the rim and can finish over and through defenders. He is adept at finding the open man off a double, which he frequently generates when posting up. Bona must improve as a dribble-handoff hub and make the right reads off the roll. He is a vicious dunker who can attack off the dribble when given space.

Bona also needs to clean up the turnovers (2.5 a game) on heavy usage (25.0 percent); he often travels when trying to score in tight spaces or attempting a post move. He is offensive-foul prone when establishing low positions or leaving early on a screen. Bona only attempted one three-pointer but showed more willingness to attempt jumpers (30-88 on 2-pt attempts away from the rim). He needs to improve his finishing with his left hand; he can be too predictable and always tries to get to the same move down low.

On defense, Bona guards the post well, is hard to move down low, and has good timing and recovery on blocks (1.8 per game). He is utilized best in drop coverage and hedging out. Bona has good mobility and can switch at times, but he can be undisciplined in that area and commit fouls far away from the basket. He needs to improve as a rebounder (5.9 per game), which is due to his inability to stay on the floor as much as he should, playing only 26.5 minutes a game. Bona is still too foul-prone; he fouled out seven times and had twelve games where he had four fouls. Many of his fouls came 20 feet away from the basket or from being too aggressive. He must be more disciplined on the floor to help his team win.

Bona started playing organized basketball late, so he is still very raw and has room for growth. His energy, mobility and physicality should be able to transfer to the next level. Bona has a decent-looking stroke, and his improved free-throw shooting offers optimism that he can grow as a shooter.

—Diego Torres