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Adem Bona · Brainstorming through ways in which they might offset the loss of a pair of game-breaking All-Star talents during 2024-25’s season opener, the Philadelphia 76ers — as evidenced through 17 offensive rebounds — selected hustle as their preferred method. Undeterred in that approach as the game’s outcome slipped away, Philadelphia found that even as they emptied their bench, their brand-new talent was prepared to contribute in that same manner. Checking in for his NBA debut at the two-and-a-half-minute mark, 2024 No. 41 pick Adem Bona produced one of the night’s many examples, first through a familiar pick-and-roll setting, presenting the threat of his much-discussed athleticism and lob-catching potential. Effective nonetheless after his teammate’s contested layup goes awry, Bona clocks in for cleanup duty, using his 7-foot-4 wingspan to hunt down a putback opportunity for his career’s first-ever score. Taking inspiration from the former rebounding champion that he replaced, the Nigerian big offered a two-point, one-rebound effort on one-of-one shooting in three minutes during a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on October 23, 2024. · State of Mint