UCLA Basketball: Bruins Vet Earmarked As Potential 2024 Naismith Winner

The UCLA Bruins entered their new season with high hopes of another successful run. This time around they would need to rely on a much younger cast of players, but they are hopeful that they have the right people in place.

Second-year player Adem Bona has been listed on the preseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy this season. The award is given to the nation’s top player each year, so this is a major honor for the sophomore player.

𝑵𝑨𝑰𝑺𝑴𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑯𝒀, 𝑾𝑨𝑻𝑪𝑯 𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻.

Adem Bona has been recognized on the 50-person preseason watch list for the @NaismithTrophy, annually awarded to the nation's top player by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

🗒️📲: https://t.co/G4QQmU9gle #GoBruins 🏀 pic.twitter.com/E9eaOYj9y5
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) November 6, 2023

He won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award last season and is now being expected to lead the team more this year. Bona is one of the more veteran guys on the team, so his leadership skills will be tested throughout the year.

They will be looking to him to lead by example all season long, but he seems up for the challenge already. In the Bruins first game of the year, Bona dropped 28 points in helping them grab the victory. He also added nine rebounds and four blocks as well.

It was a well-rounded game for the sophomore, and if this is anything like what we can expect from him this season, UCLA will be in great shape. The Bruins are going to need him to really step up this year to help them reach their goals.

“It feels amazing to be able to share the court with my teammates,” Bona said when asked about playing in his first game since a left shoulder injury cut short his freshman season last March. “To have the coaches on the side, to be able to put on a jersey again, it’s an amazing feeling playing in Pauley, the fans, everyone, just an amazing feel in general.”

Per Adem Bona via The LA Daily News

With the Bruins being so young, Bona will need to pull from experience to lead the way. UCLA believes in him, and it'll be fascinating to see how his season plays out.

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