Former Prolific Prep star Adem Bona is preparing for his third NBA season, a new opportunity alongside LeBron James, and an expanding mission to give back to young athletes in Nigeria.
There was a time when Adem Bona played basketball on makeshift hoops in the fields of Lagos, Nigeria—sometimes without even having a basketball.
This summer, the Philadelphia 76ers forward returned home as an NBA player and welcomed approximately 100 young athletes to his inaugural two-day youth basketball camp.
For Bona, it was more than a basketball event. It was another meaningful step in a journey that has taken him from Nigeria to Turkey, Prolific Prep, UCLA and eventually the NBA.
It was also a chance to show young athletes in his home country what may be possible when talent, opportunity, faith and relentless work come together.
Through the Adem Bona Family Foundation, Bona hosted the camp at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports Hall. The program provided hands-on instruction, mentorship and resources for approximately 50 participants each day.
The foundation’s mission is clear: to provide resources and build community for young athletes, families and underserved communities throughout Nigeria.
“Basketball is not an easy journey,” Bona said during the camp. “You need a supporting crew to push you through the down times.”
Few players understand that journey better than Bona.
A Journey That Began in Lagos
Born in Lagos as the youngest of five children, Bona grew up playing soccer as a midfielder. His height eventually led him toward basketball, and it did not take long for others to recognize his potential.
After approximately one year of playing the sport, a video of Bona caught the attention of Turkish basketball coach Türkay Çakıroğlu. At only 13 years old, Bona made the life-changing decision to leave his family in Nigeria and move to Turkey to pursue basketball.
He began developing with Istanbul Basket before joining Pınar Karşıyaka in 2019. Later that year, at only 16, Bona made his professional debut in the FIBA Europe Cup. He also appeared in Turkey’s top professional league.
It was the beginning of a remarkable climb—but the next chapter would bring him to the United States and into the Full Court Dream story.
Becoming a Prolific Prep Crew
Bona arrived at Prolific Prep in 2020 and spent two seasons with the program. His energy, athleticism, defense and infectious personality quickly made him one of the most memorable players to come through the Crew.
During the 2020–21 season, Prolific Prep featured an extraordinary front line of Bona, Mouhamed Gueye and Nate Bittle.
All three have now reached the NBA.
Gueye, a native of Senegal, played collegiately at Washington State before becoming a second-round selection in the 2023 NBA Draft. He is preparing for his fourth season with the Atlanta Hawks.
The seven-foot Bittle played five seasons at Oregon under head coach Dana Altman. After an impressive showing during the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, he signed with the Toronto Raptors and is preparing for his rookie season.
Long before they reached the NBA, however, Bona and Gueye developed a friendship that remains strong today.
I spent countless hours around Adem and Mouhamed while traveling and photographing Prolific Prep. They were two of the best young men I ever had the opportunity to work with. Both possessed wonderful senses of humor, seemed to be constantly smiling and had a way of making everyone around them happier.
Their talent was unmistakable, but their character was even more memorable.
Those Prolific Prep teams were filled with future college and professional players, yet the connection between Bona and Gueye was always special. They were two young African players—one from Nigeria and the other from Senegal—pursuing the same enormous dream thousands of miles from home.
Today, that friendship continues with both men living their NBA dreams.
Two Years at UCLA
Following his senior season at Prolific Prep, Bona continued his career at UCLA.
Across two seasons and 66 games with the Bruins, the 6-foot-10 forward-center averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. His defensive presence, athleticism and relentless motor made him one of the most impactful interior players in the Pac-12.
As a sophomore, Bona averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 58.8 percent from the field. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was selected as the 2024 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Bona with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
He had made it.
Establishing Himself in Philadelphia
Bona appeared in 58 games and made 11 starts during his rookie season with the Sixers, averaging 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds. He delivered the best offensive performance of his young career on April 3, 2025, scoring 28 points against the Milwaukee Bucks.
During the 2025–26 season, Bona appeared in 71 games, including 18 starts. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17.4 minutes per game.
He also continued representing Turkey internationally. In a recent FIBA World Cup qualifying victory over Iceland, Bona recorded eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in only 18 minutes.
Now he is preparing for his third NBA season—and one of the most surreal chapters of his career.
Bona will be sharing the Philadelphia locker room with LeBron James.
When Bona learned that James was joining the 76ers, he was riding in a car in Nigeria with his brothers. Upon hearing the news, he began screaming with excitement.
The young man who once played basketball on makeshift hoops in Lagos was going to become a teammate of one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Bringing the Journey Home
Despite everything Bona has accomplished, his return to Lagos may be one of his most meaningful achievements.
The first Adem Bona basketball camp was supported by family members, childhood friends and the people who knew him before basketball carried him around the world.
Faith also played an important role. The camp began with prayers, setting the tone for two successful days in which the young athletes received instruction, encouragement and gifts.
“I’m a strong believer,” Bona said. “We had a successful camp with no injuries. Every kid came in, went home happy and took some gifts. I’m really glad we were able to do that successfully, and thanks be to God.”
Bona plans to make the camp an annual event and eventually expand it beyond Lagos into other parts of Nigeria. He also envisions future outreach efforts in Turkey, where his basketball career began, and Philadelphia, the city he now represents in the NBA.
His message to the young athletes reflected the patience, perseverance and perspective required throughout his own journey.
“It’s not a race; it’s a marathon,” Bona said. “It doesn’t matter where you start or where you are midway; what matters most is who finishes. Sometimes we feel underprivileged or not where we need to be, but you just have to put your head down and work every day to be one percent better.”
That message is bigger than basketball.
Adem Bona’s journey has already carried him from Lagos to Istanbul, Prolific Prep, UCLA and Philadelphia. He is now preparing to begin another NBA season alongside LeBron James—but he has not forgotten the people, places and sacrifices that helped him get there.
The young athletes who attended his first camp saw more than an NBA player standing in front of them.
They saw someone who once stood exactly where they are standing now.
And they saw proof that a dream beginning on a makeshift court in Nigeria can reach all the way to the NBA.
Dream Big. Work Hard. Be Kind. Keep Going.
