Adem Bona leaving UCLA after 2 seasons to enter NBA draft

Updated Apr. 12, 2024 1:33 p.m. ET

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adem Bona is leaving UCLA after two years to enter the NBA draft.

The sophomore from Lagos, Nigeria, announced his plans Friday on his Instagram account.

Bona averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while starting 65 of 66 games over his two years in Westwood.

The 6-foot-10 forward-center was named All-Pac-12 and was the league's Defensive Player of the Year this season. Bona earned Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors both seasons and was named the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2023.

“These past 2 years have flown by,” Bona posted. “Basketball has given me such an amazing opportunity to make memories with people I will cherish forever. But this is only the beginning. I'm so excited to see where this game is going to take me next.”

He finished with 115 blocks, ranking sixth on UCLA's career list. He was the first player since Dan Gadzuric in 2001 to have back-to-back seasons with at least 50 blocks.

“We believe that he’s just scratching the surface, in terms of his potential and his ability to really thrive on the court,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said.

Players who declare for the draft have until the NCAA-mandated June 1 deadline to withdraw their eligibility and return to school.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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