The 2024-2025 season was one to forget for the Philadelphia 76ers organization and their fans. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-2017 campaign with a 24-58 record, thanks in large part due to injuries and inconsistency from the team’s biggest stars. There were some bright spots throughout the season, however, and perhaps one of the biggest was the development of rookie center Adem Bona in the absence of Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond.
Drafted in the second round out of UCLA, Bona showed promise at the collegiate level as he was named the PAC-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023 and followed this up with the Defensive Player of the Year honor in his sophomore year. Bona, along with Jared McCain, rounds out a solid draft class that could have a big impact on the 76ers organization for years to come.
He initially played a small role off the bench for the 76ers as he was buried in the depth chart at the center position. As the season went on with injuries to Embiid and Drummond, Bona received significant minutes and his first chance to really shine in Philadelphia.
Adem Bona should get plenty of opportunities to shine for the 76ers next season
In 58 games, Bona averaged 5.8 points to go along with 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. As the starting center, Bona averaged a much better 14.9 points while shooting 74.4% from the field, to go along with 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per contest.
He was very efficient from the field throughout the season, shooting 74.4 percent on 192 attempts. Bona’s best game of the season came on April 28th when he posted 28 points to go along with six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in 35 minutes of action.
The former MVP has played just 58 games since 2023 and is coming off another surgery on his knee that has his status up in the air for the start of the 2025 season. Drummond played just 40 games this season, which is the lowest mark of his 11-year career.
With the future of Andre Drummond up in the air due to his player option and age, Bona has the opportunity to claim the backup center role going forward. While Drummond has signaled he would like to return, and ultimately he has the final say with a player option pending, the 76ers will have to decide if they want to give the proven but aging vet the nod or the up and coming prospect in Bona.