This Sixers Big Man Has the Floor Potential of a Three-Time Block Champ
Potential is such a strange concept to me. It’s strange because franchises would sometimes gamble on a player based only on potential and a collegiate highlight reel. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, but I’m noticing the trend. In the sports world, people like to compare a player’s potential using a floor and ceiling potential list. In basic terms, the floor ceiling is the minimum level of performance players can reach. Whereas the ceiling is the highest potential a player could reach.
Potential is an overused word, as certain players can have the potential of, let’s say, a superstar, but not live up to it. The situation could be because of a lack of opportunities or simply because they can’t be a superstar. Which is incredibly fine, as basketball is a team sport. You may have one or two superstars on a team, but a team needs solid role players. For example, let’s take a look at the 2024-25 Orlando Magic squad. We know that Paolo Banchero is the franchise's superstar, but there was a discussion on whether his teammate can be an all-star or simply a solid role player. Before the 2025 All-Star break, there were talks about Franz Wagner being selected for his first all-star appearance. I think this sophomore sixer can be that go-to role player for the franchise.
So, the player I’m referring to is second-round pick Adem Bona. A six-foot-ten, others speculate that he is six-foot-nine, 235 pounds, big for the Sixers. A bit undersized at the five slot, but perfectly sized for the four slot. Bona appeared in only 58 games, due to injuries or coaches deciding not to play him, and started in 11 of them. For those who have watched Bona play, you can instantly tell he’s a shot-blocker with a quick first step. He’s a gem for the Sixers, as it helps having a big man with a high motor and tenacity for swatting shots. Aside from his defensive tendencies, he operates in the paint and comes off the pick-and-roll.
In a way, the second-round pick has the floor potential of former Sixers big man Theo Ratliff. The three-time block champ played four seasons with the Sixers, where he earned his only all-star appearance. His first block title came during the 2000-01 season, where he averaged close to four blocks per game. A feat that could be possible for Bona, once given more time as a starter, as he has shown glimpses of that. Bona played ten games where he secured at least three blocks, and he started in half of them.
The sophomore big has two, in my opinion, amazing games that can elevate him past Ratliff. The first one is a stat line from April 3rd, 2025, where he played against the Milwaukee Bucks. He dropped a career-high 28 points while going 13-for-15 from the field and draining two free throws. Mind you, this is all against the two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and NBA Champ Brook Lopez. Bona also secured six rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. The second game was on March 9th, 2025, where he, technically, came off the bench against the Utah Jazz. Bona secured 14 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, two steals, and another career-high with five blocks. Bona joins a list of nine rookies, including himself, to post at least 10 points, 15 rebounds, two steals, and five blocks in a single game…seven of whom are Hall of Famers. That’s a great company to be in, especially if you’re trying to carve out a long career in the league. The sky may be the limit, but Bona has not just the potential, but the ability to play a long time in the league.
