UCLA’s Adem Bona’s Defense Could Help Fill Depth Need in OKC

Adem Bona didn’t light up the stat sheet on offense, but his defensive abilities are undeniable.

The Thunder have been no stranger to adding size through the draft, and this season could prove no different.

Oklahoma City could use some help in the paint and add more depth at the four and five positions in the rotation. They don’t need to necessarily find a star, but a sleeper in the second round could do the trick.

UCLA’s Adem Bona has flown under many radars at times during the draft process. The freshman wasn’t the main piece of the Bruins lineup, but he was an impact player and could continue to be that at the next level.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Bona averaged just 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Bruins this season, but that could be credited to a limited offensive role on an experienced UCLA unit. Defensively though Bona shined and was a crucial part of the Bruins success on that end of the court.

He recorded 55 blocks on the season, and it helped him earn PAC-12 Rookie of the Year and All-Defensive Team honors. Another rim protecting big could play a big role in helping OKC take the next step in competing for a playoff run again, and with Bona’s likely availability in round two his name should be high on boards in Oklahoma City.

The position group is the youngest OKC has, but can continue to add youth too as they search for bodies to help defend and stop the better bigs in the NBA.

Bona’s frame and length mixed with athleticism will help him carve out a bench role with a team at the next level and he could develop and fill into bigger roles as he matures.

The Thunder relied heavily on Jaylin Williams last season, and with Chet Holmgren returning to make his NBA debut another young big could help alleviate some pressure for the Thunder’s interior rotation. 

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