Internal competition for backup center role highlighted as early training-camp storyline

With Joel Embiid’s injury history, the Sixers’ backup-center spot is a focus; Bona and Hukporti are identified as the primary competitors entering camp.

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- Adem Bona (41st pick, 2024) and Ariel Hukporti (one-year deal) projected to compete for the backup center minutes
- Andre Drummond, Dominick Barlow and Dean Wade listed as additional interior options
- Bona played 71 games in 2024-25 and split backup duties with Drummond last year
- Hukporti’s prior season block rate and Bona’s prior regular-season availability highlighted
- Coaches expected to evaluate defensive rim protection, foul control, and offensive floor spacing
- Story frames the selection as consequential given Embiid’s past injury absences

Read full analysis on nbcsportsphiladelphia.com

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