UCLA's Adem Bona Practicing, Status for NCAA Tournament TBD

The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year is still sore from the shoulder injury he suffered on March 10, according to coach Mick Cronin.

Already down one starter, the Bruins may have hope that another can make his return for March Madness.

No. 2 seed UCLA men’s basketball (29-5, 18-2 Pac-12) lost freshman forward/center Adem Bona to a left shoulder injury in the second half of the Pac-12 tournament semifinals against Oregon on March 10. Bona missed the Pac-12 tournament final against Arizona the next day, and the Bruins lost 61-59 without him and guard Jaylen Clark – who hurt his lower leg against the Wildcats back on March 4.

Coach Mick Cronin said Sunday that Clark would be out for the NCAA tournament, but he had different updates for Bona's status after practice on Wednesday.

"Adem is getting better," Cronin said. "He was able to do some stuff in practice today, we'll see how he feels. He's just sore, so every day is a progressive day for him. So we'll see tomorrow."

Cronin likened Bona's shoulder injury to guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s multiple ankle sprains last season, when his availability largely depended on pain tolerance.

Los Angeles Times staff writer Ben Bolch posted several videos from the Bruins' open practice at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, and Bona was putting up jumpers and hook shots without much hesitation. Bona was exclusively shooting with his right hand in the videos, but he didn't appear to be using his left differently than normal, and there wasn't any visible sling, brace or tape on his shoulder.

More footage from the Adem Bona Channel. pic.twitter.com/sgYXarDTew

— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) March 15, 2023

Cronin confirmed that if he didn't think Bona could make an impact against No. 15 seed UNC Asheville (27-7, 16-2 Big South) on Thursday – or any round after that, should the Bruins advance – then he would rest his young big man.

"With Adem's situation, it's simply how sore is he and how much can he play effectively," Cronin said. "If he can't, then there would be no point in playing him."

Bona made the All-Pac-12 Defensive Team and won Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at the conclusion of the regular season. He and Clark helped make UCLA the top-rated defense in the KenPom, and they combined for 5.2 steals and blocks per game on the season.

Bona had appeared in all but two games for the Bruins this year, previously only missing the season-opener back in early November due to NCAA eligibility reasons. The 6-foot-9 post player from Nigeria is currently averaging 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game.

If Bona is unable to go, Cronin will likely insert fifth-year post player Kenneth Nwuba – who took the opening tips on Senior Night and in the Pac-12 tournament final – into the starting lineup. Nwuba and Mac Etienne both fouled out against Arizona on Saturday, forcing Cronin to play a small lineup down the stretch.

UNC Asheville's leading scorer and rebounder is 6-foot-10 former Tennessee forward Drew Pember, who put up 21.2 points and 9.4 boards per game this season. Pember often plays on the perimeter on offense – attempting 4.4 triples per game – but he averages 2.3 blocks per game as the Bulldogs' primary rim protector.

UCLA's potential second round opponents for Saturday – No. 7 seed Northwestern and No. 10 Boise State – pose different challenges, with the Wildcats boasting two 6-foot-9 forwards and a 7-foot center in their rotation while the Broncos have just one rotation player taller than 6-foot-7. Should the Bruins make it all the way to the Sweet 16, they may have a rematch with Gonzaga, which is led by All-American 6-foot-10 forward Drew Timme. 

Before UCLA gets that far, however, it will have to take care of business against UNC Asheville. That Round of 64 matchup between the Bruins and Bulldogs will tip off Thursday at 7:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on truTV.

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