Philadelphia 76ers rookie Adem Bona emerged as a positive surprise during the disappointing 2024-25 season for the team, which fell short of playoff contention with a 24-58 record. Bona, a second-round pick from UCLA, showcased promising performance metrics in his debut NBA season, averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 58 games with 11 starts. Despite the team's struggles, Bona's significant playing time allowed him to make notable progress and development throughout the season.
Veteran player Andre Drummond, who faced limited game time due to a toe injury, played a mentorship role for Bona since the beginning of training camp. Drummond highlighted Bona's notable growth in confidence and receptiveness to feedback from coaches and experienced players. Praising Bona's work ethic, Drummond emphasized the rookie's strong potential in the league, noting his exceptional motor and dedication to improvement. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Bona appears poised to compete for the backup center position, potentially contending with Drummond, who holds a $5 million player option for the upcoming season.