Adem Bona


Adem Bona is a Nigerian-born Turkish professional basketball player for Pınar Karşıyaka of the Basketball Super League.

Early life and youth career

Bona was born Ikechukwu Stanley Okoro in Lagos, Nigeria as the youngest of five children. He grew up playing football as a midfielder but switched to basketball due to his height. He often played basketball with makeshift hoops in the fields, sometimes without a ball. Okoro was playing for about one year when a video of him drew the attention of Turkish coach Türkay Çakıroğlu, who then contacted Istanbul Basket coach Nevzat Özdemir. At age 13, he moved to Turkey, leaving behind the rest of his family, and began his career with Istanbul Basket. In February 2019, Bona moved to Pınar Karşıyaka and continued competing at the youth level.

Professional career

On 30 October 2019, Bona made his professional debut for Pınar Karşıyaka, playing one minute in a 77–57 win over Donar in the FIBA Europe Cup. On 16 November, he debuted in the Basketball Super League, scoring two points in an 84–55 victory over Galatasaray.

National team career

At the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship in Udine, Bona averaged 14.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and four blocks per game, leading Turkey to fifth place. He ranked second at the tournament in rebounds and blocks and was named to the All-Star Five.

Personal life

In April 2018, Okoro became a Turkish citizen and officially changed his name to Adem Bona. He named himself after Adam.