UCLA Men's Basketball: Sophomore Big Logs Lofty Vertical

UCLA big man Adem Bona demonstrated some real flashes a season ago.

In his freshman year, there were moments where Bona produced some jaw-dropping plays -- whether it be spiking a ball into the fifth row or dunking on someone with extreme prejudice.

Now a sophomore, he's projected to be one of the team's leaders. Bona ironically returns as one of the most experienced players on the roster, as eight new teammates have joined the team this offseason.

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 🚀

Bruins' sophomore 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐦 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐚 registers a 38.5-inch running vertical jump.#GoBruins 🏀💨 pic.twitter.com/byxnHerYTv
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) September 28, 2023

We know Bona is a freak athlete. In a recent practice, we saw a glimpse into that athleticism with tangible numbers to back up the apparent claim made via the proverbial eye test. Listed at 6-foot-10, Bona was registered with a whopping 38.5-inch vertical leap.

Let's put this into perspective. Looking back at the recent numbers from the 2023 NBA Combine, Bona would've had the best running vertical jump for a center by two inches. The closest to Bona would've been former Indiana big man Trayce Jackson-Davis (36.5 inches).

HUGE BLOCK BY ADEM BONA 😱 @UCLAMBB pic.twitter.com/mE95XyGgMi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 3, 2023

Bona suffered a shoulder injury late last season, ultimately hindering his ability to perform in the NCAA Tournament. After a procedure this offseason, he's just on the cusp of returning to practice in a full-contact capacity.

Many are projecting this to be a big year for the Nigerian big man. He averaged 7.7 PPG and 5.3 RPG on 67.5 percent from the floor. This also included a 1.7 blocks per game average.

Reports indicate that Bona has been working on his midrange game. That would be a significant addition to his game, as most of his shots last year were layups or dunks. Being able to stretch the floor would help Bona's prospects as a pro prospect.

Additionally, his ability to space could result in some looks where Bona shares the floor with incoming freshman center Aday Mara. Standing at 7-foot-3, Mara comes across the pond from Spain with much hype and anticipation. Bona's quickness and athletic profile should enable him to play alongside Mara, particularly when defending smaller players away from the hoop.

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