UCLA Basketball: Adem Bona Says Bruins' Coveted Defensive Award Is "Mine"

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin says, "The hungry dog gets the bone."

The Hungry Dog Award is a tradition dating back to head coach Mick Cronin's time at Cincinnati and a motivational tool at UCLA.

For sophomore Adem Bona, that bone will be his by the end of the season.

"That bone is mine," Bona told the media on Thursday. "I think I'm leading right now."

Per Adam Bona via UCLA Athletics

“It’s a historical rivalry. Everybody that has come into UCLA knows about the rivalry. And I know all of us are looking forward to the games, especially the guys who are from L.A., from out here.”

Sophomore Adem Bona, speaking about the UCLA-USC rivalry pic.twitter.com/iVqsGLJQc4

— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) January 25, 2024

A 2-foot-by-6-inch rawhide dog bone is signed by the player with the most deflections after every game. At season’s end, it goes home with whoever leads the team in being the biggest defensive pest.

Bona leads the Bruins with 37 blocks and is second with 24 steals. He has 22 blocks and 17 steals in conference play through eight games.

"The hungry dog gets the bone. I teach them the law of the alley which is who wins games, usually, the team that is willing to get in the fight for the scraps."

Per Mick Cronin via UCLA Athletics

Bona and the Bruins return to action on Saturday evening against crosstown rival USC at the Galen Center. It will be nationally televised on ESPN2 at 5:05 p.m. PST. 

The Bruins have won two of their last three games and have a record of 8-9 at the Galen Center.