BREAKING: 5-star center Adem Bona commits to UCLA

2022 five-star center Adem Bona has committed to UCLA, choosing the Bruins over the Kentucky Wildcats on Monday. He previously considered the likes of Kansas, Baylor and the NBL, among other options.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound center out of Napa, CA announced his commitment with NBA insider Shams Charania.

Just in: 5-star prospect Adem Bona — a 6-foot-10 big man — chooses between Kentucky and UCLA. pic.twitter.com/NfvEjo18XY

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2021

“I will be spending my next year in college with the Bruins of UCLA,” he told Charania. “… It’s a huge decision for me and my family. Me, my siblings, my mom, it’s huge for us. Coming from Nigeria, now with a chance to go to a college like UCLA to play basketball, it’s huge for us. It’s huge for my basketball (career).

“I’m going to be playing at one of the top colleges in the world and it’s really big for me.”

Bona says he envisioned himself playing for Mick Cronin and the Bruins after watching practice during his recent official visit to UCLA.

“I envisioned myself playing for the team because I saw them practice,” he said. “I saw the guys give their all in practice, put their hearts on the floor. That was big for me. … What I saw in practice was really impressive. I really enjoyed my visit down there.

“I’m ready for a lot of development down there at UCLA. … They’ve got a winning mentality down there and it’s going to develop my game a lot, help me for the pros.”

Bona is rated as the No. 13 overall prospect and No. 3 center in the latest On3 player rankings. He’s ranked No. 9 overall and the No. 1 center in the On3 consensus.

Leading up to the announcement, UCLA led in Bona’s Crystal Ball over at 247Sports with four of total five picks. The Bruins also led over at Rivals with four consecutive FutureCasts in October alone.

KSR broke the news last week that UK head coach John Calipari was in to see Bona on Monday, Oct. 25, followed by UCLA assistant Rod Palmer on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

With Bona now out of the picture, Kentucky will look to round out its 2022 recruiting class with a commitment from five-star guard Cason Wallace, who is set to decide on Sunday, Nov. 7. UK has already received commitments from five-star seniors Skyy Clark, Shaedon Sharpe and Chris Livingston.

As for the center position, the waiting game is on. Kentucky will monitor the development of Oscar Tshiebwe, Daimion Collins and Lance Ware throughout the season. Barring a major shakeup with a reclassification or decommitment, the expectation is for Calipari to hit the transfer portal for any necessary replacement pieces in the spring.

The early signing period is set to begin Nov. 10 and last through Nov. 17. All three of Kentucky’s current commitments are scheduled to sign with the program to open the period. Wallace joining the fold Sunday would give the Wildcats four signatures this fall.