Expert Predicts Adem Bona Reunites with Former UCLA Teammate in 2024 NBA Draft
Any time that a player coming from the UCLA Bruins finds his way onto an NBA roster, it is a time for celebration. Even though Westwood's coaching staff loves nothing more than finding perfect fits for their system and even taking multiple years to help them develop their game, they are more than happy for them to move on when the time is right.
And seeing that big man Adem Bona will be returning to UCLA for his sophomore campaign, he will certainly be well on his way to the league as long as he remains healthy. If not for lingering shoulder issues that kept him out near the end of the Bruins' tournament run, he very well would have kept his name in the 2023 Draft after he averaged seven points and five boards across 33 outings.
In fact, Kyle Boone from CBS Sports put together an early 2024 mock draft and he believes that Bona could be teaming up with former UCLA teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the Miami Heat.
"Bona suffered a should injury late in the season for UCLA that likely hurt his draft prospects in 2023, but at full strength, the big man could play his way into the Round 1 picture. He was terrific as a freshman, where his defense immediately translated, leading him to finish top-20 nationally in block rate."
(Via CBS Sports)
This would be an excellent fit seeing that Miami has one of the best development systems in the league and would be able to tap into some of Bona's best qualities. He brings forth plenty of rim protection and post scoring and the Heat would look to open up other dimensions of his game.
Of course, playing with Jaquez again would be a major plus!
