Adem

Bona

Selected with the 41st overall pick in last month’s draft, Bona could be a steal for the 76ers. While a bit raw offensively, he’s highly active on the boards and is one of the best defenders in this rookie class. With Joel Embiid’s injury history, there will be times when Bona offers credible fantasy value.

Selected with the 41st overall pick in last month’s draft, Bona could develop into a steal for the 76ers. The highly athletic big man was active on the boards and defensively, but he’ll need to do a better job of defending without fouling. Bona did most of his damage around the basket, which is no surprise to those familiar with his game. He’ll be most valuable in fantasy basketball next season on nights when the 76ers are forced to play without star center Joel Embiid. The rebounding and shot-blocking potential mean Bona won’t need to be on the court too long to offer streaming value.

Bona earned PAC 12 Rookie of the Year honors in 2022-23, and he followed up his stellar first-year performance by winning the 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year award. The big man averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 boards, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks across 26.5 minutes, shooting 58.8% from the floor and 69.6% from the charity stripe. He’s got a high motor on defense, and his offensive game took a step forward as a sophomore. At 6’10, 245, Bona can play PF or C at the next level. If he can swat shots at a high level, he can be a viable fantasy option right out of the gate. Joel Embiid and Paul Reed are the only 76ers centers signed through 2024-45, so Bona will have an opportunity to compete with Reed to play as a backup behind one of the league’s most dominant big men.