Having just watched Adem Bona narrowly miss out on a one-handed alley-oop poster on his first shot attempt, the Utah Jazz can’t say that they weren’t warned, regarding the second-round pick’s ambitious around-the-rim plans on March 9, 2025. Eyeing opportunities at redemption just a quarter later, the Philadelphia 76ers’ rookie big man arrives with a tinkered plan of attack, springing a teammate free on a handoff-and-screen with his momentum immediately gravitating towards the paint. Uncovered, and free to pick any dunk from his catalog, Bona powers through a back-scratching two-handed flush, gifting Philly an eight-point second quarter lead. The No. 41 pick stumbled upon history along the way, helping guide a four-point home win through a box score only replicated by one other first-year talent in franchise history. By game’s end, Bona had delivered 14 points (on 7-of-13 shooting), 15 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and five rejections, becoming the 76ers’ first rookie to record such numbers since 1993-94. · Mar 9, 2025