With training camp beginning on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers will need to get everybody on the same page with chemistry and cohesion being at the forefront for them. There are a ton of new pieces that coach Nick Nurse will be looking to blend and integrate as Philadelphia begins another journey toward the mountaintop.
Training camp will also bring some interesting battles for the Sixers to have to look at as they head into the new season. For example, backup center is once again up for grabs behind Joel Embiid after Philadelphia added Ariel Hukporti in free agency to battle Adem Bona for that important position.
Both Bona and Hukporti are similar players. They're both super athletic, can block shots at an acceptable rate, can throw down lobs,
and make a difference on the glass. Nurse and his staff will give both an opportunity throughout camp and the preseason to state their case to earn regular rotation minutes when the regular season begins.
For now, let's dive into it:
2025-26 stats for Bona vs. Hukporti
When looking at the raw numbers, Bona has more experience and plays more minutes, but Hukporti's per 36 numbers are intriguing. He averaged 1.9 blocks per 36, which suggests he can be a dominant shot blocker when given the chance. Bona has already proven he can be a reliable shot blocker, which suggests that he has the inside track on this role, but Nurse and the Sixers will give Hukporti a chance in camp and the preseason.
Either way, both players are similar in the fact that they get their looks at the basket, make a difference defensively in terms of rim protection, and the difference might be whether either guy can knock down 3s at a reliable rate. Bona has worked hard on his shot throughout the summer, as shown by his offseason workout videos, and Hukporti is undoubtedly doing the same on his end. If either player can become an elite rebounder, that would be a big help as well, considering the struggles in that department in the past.
It will be interesting to see if either player can stand out when it comes to the battle to earn the backup center job in Philadelphia. Both players offer a lot of similar attributes: athleticism, high motors, soft touches around the basket, and rim protection. This will be one of the more interesting battles as time goes on as Philadelphia looks to figure out the bench unit.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 76ers training camp battles: Adem Bona vs. Ariel Hukporti for backup C
