Adem Bona, born Ikechukwu Stanley Okoro, was born on March 28, 2003, near Lagos, Nigeria. During his childhood, he was interested in both football and basketball, but as his height increased rapidly, he turned to basketball. At around the age of 13, he moved to Türkiye and began his sports career in the youth system of İstanbul Basket. He later transferred to the youth teams of Pınar Karşıyaka, where he played at the junior level in Türkiye. During this period, he developed his technical skills and soon became one of the promising young players in Turkish basketball.

^{Adem Bona (AA)}

Career

College Career

Bona moved to the United States during his high school years, where he played for programs such as Prolific Prep before joining the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA. Over two college seasons, he appeared in 66 games, starting 65 of them. Statistically, in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, he averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. In the 2023–2024 season, these averages increased to 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. At UCLA, he was recognized for his defensive contribution, earning the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award and being named to the All-Pac-12 First Team.

NBA Career

In the 2024 NBA Draft, Bona was selected in the second round, 41st overall, by the Philadelphia 76ers. He began receiving playing time in his rookie NBA season and delivered notable individual performances in several games:

• January 20, 2025, vs. Bucks: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
• March 30, 2025, vs. Heat: 16 points, 10 rebounds (double-double)
• April 4, 2025, vs. Bucks: 28 points, 6 rebounds

According to official NBA records, Bona averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game during the 2024–2025 season. These statistics demonstrated his defensive presence as well as his ability to contribute offensively.

National Team Career

After obtaining Turkish citizenship, Bona was selected for the Türkiye Men’s National Basketball Team. Head coach Ergin Ataman stated that the player would play an important long-term role for the national team. At EuroBasket 2025, Bona won a silver medal with Türkiye. Throughout the tournament, he was noted for his defensive impact and was cited by sports writers as one of the most effective contributors off the bench. According to FIBA statistics, he also ranked among the players with the most blocks in a single game during the tournament.

Playing Style

Adem Bona is 2.08 meters tall and weighs 107 kilograms. His style of play emphasizes rebounding and shot-blocking. Offensively, he primarily scores through finishes around the basket. Since his college years, he has added mid-range shooting and post moves to his repertoire. He continues to use this role in both the NBA and the national team.