The UCLA Bruins are aiming to grab their first Pac-12 tournament title in a decade again. The Bruins are accustomed to winning the regular season title, which they did earn last season, but they are hoping for a tournament win to guarantee themselves a spot in the big dance.
It's a big week for the Bruins as they try to pull off the impossible. However, center Adem Bona received some big Pac-12 honors a day before their big game.
The sophomore big man was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and named to the First-Team All-Pac-12. The Bruins announced via X.
Bona is among the 15 candidates for the Naismith Trophy Defensive Player of the Year. He became the second consecutive and fourth UCLA player to receive the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Last season, UCLA forward Jaylen Clark won the award.
According to College Basketball Reference, Bona leads the Pac-12 in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (4.7), ranks second in Defensive Rating (96.1), and third in Defensive Win Shares (1.8. He is the only player in the conference in the top 5 in all three categories.
The 20-year-old was a force to be reckoned with all season long, and he'll look to continue his dominance once tournament play starts. The Bruins will lean toward Bona and his defensive prowess to take them over the top.
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