The Philadelphia 76ers are currently building along two separate and seemingly conflicting timelines. They've aced the process of scouting developable talent while simultaneously hitching their wagon to injury-plagued veterans whose availability continues to be a question mark.
Thankfully for the 76ers, Adem Bona offered a reminder of how bright the future is despite the injury histories and contracts that may stand in its way.
Philadelphia has assembled an intriguing core of up-and-coming players who have flashed intriguing upside. That includes All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, incoming rookie V.J. Edgecombe, pre-injury 2024-25 Rookie of the Year frontrunner Jared McCain, and productive wing Justin Edwards—all of whom are 24 or younger.
Philadelphia is also hoping to re-sign 25-year-old breakout swingman Quentin Grimes, who averaged 21.9 points per game with the 76ers in 2024-25.
One of the unsung heroes of Philadelphia's youth movement is Bona. Selected at No. 41 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the former UCLA Bruins star and 2024 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year has the tools to become a true interior anchor.
Following a quietly solid rookie season, Bona is proving that his hard work is paying off with a strong showing at Summer League.
Adem Bona continues to display tremendous defensive potential
Bona began Summer League with a respectable six points, five rebounds, three offensive boards, two blocks, and one steal in only 17 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs. It was an accurate depiction of where his game currently is.
Though somewhat unrefined as an offensive player, Bona is a productive rebounder who has shown flashes of greatness on the defensive end of the floor.
The next time out, Bona hammered that point home by tallying eight points, six rebounds, four offensive boards, three blocks, and two steals in just 21 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets. It was the perfect ramp-up for what became his signature Summer League showing and Philadelphia's first win.
Bona helped lead Philadelphia to a 74-58 defensive domination of the Washington Wizards by posting nine points, eight rebounds, and six blocks in 28 minutes.
It was the type of performance that 76ers fans know he's capable of reproducing in the NBA. He showed similar flashes of brilliance as a rookie, averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 offensive boards, 1.2 blocks, and 0.4 steals in just 15.8 minutes per game.
Those numbers translate to intriguing marks of 13.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.7 offensive boards, 2.7 blocks, and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes.
It was a small sample size, but it's worth noting that Bona nearly matched those averages on a per-game basis over the course of his final 15 appearances. He averaged 13.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 offensive boards, 2.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals, scoring in double digits 11 times along the way—including a 28-point eruption against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
There's still work to be done and improvements to be made, but Bona is utilizing Summer League to remind the 76ers that the future is brighter than the veterans' injury issues might suggest.