Imagine walking out of practice, ready to head home, only to find your car transformed into a giant popcorn machine! That's exactly what happened to Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona, a rookie who learned a hilarious, albeit slightly inconvenient, lesson about life in the NBA.
Bona became the latest victim of a classic NBA rookie prank, orchestrated by none other than veteran Andre Drummond and a few mischievous accomplices, including Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. Picture this: Bona exits the practice facility, probably tired and ready to relax, only to be greeted by a car overflowing with popcorn. But here's where it gets controversial – the pranksters didn't stop there. One of Bona's car tires was missing, having been sneakily relocated to the inside of the locker room! The ringleaders, Drummond, Embiid and Oubre Jr., were reportedly in stitches, clearly enjoying Bona's bewildered reaction. It was all in good fun, of course, a lighthearted reminder of the pecking order and the 'unwritten rules' that rookies quickly learn to navigate in the NBA.
Even though Adem Bona already logged an impressive 58 games during his first NBA season with the 76ers, Andre Drummond playfully insisted that Bona would remain a rookie until the official start of his second season. And this is the part most people miss... it highlights the playful yet competitive atmosphere in the locker room, where even established players like Drummond enjoy keeping the rookies on their toes.
To mark the (unofficial) end of Bona's rookie status, the team decided to bestow one final, memorable prank. Drummond, in a video capturing the whole scene, gleefully pointed to the missing tire perched on Bona's chair. "This is what happens when you don’t follow instructions," Drummond quipped. A visibly shocked Bona protested, declaring himself no longer a rookie. Drummond, however, wasn't having it, retorting that someone had instructed Bona to "get off the table," as the ever-amused Joel Embiid roared with laughter in the background.
Drummond, accompanied by Kelly Oubre Jr., then proceeded to Bona's car, where they enthusiastically shoveled popcorn into every nook and cranny, reveling in the success of their prank. The fun didn't stop there. Drummond issued a playful warning to fellow rookie V.J. Edgecombe, threatening that he was "next" if he didn't heed their instructions and follow their lead. This suggests that the veteran players see it as their duty to initiate the new players, helping them integrate into the team culture.
With the 2025-26 NBA season just around the corner, Adem Bona's official second season begins next Wednesday when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Boston Celtics. The 22-year-old forward is coming off a promising rookie year, averaging 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while boasting an impressive 70.3% shooting percentage. Notably, the Sixers faced significant challenges last season, largely due to injuries to their key players, including Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain. These injuries definitely impacted the team's performance.
Ultimately, they finished with a disappointing 24-58 record, but this did give them the No. 3 pick in the draft, which they used to select V.J. Edgecombe. Pranks of this nature are commonplace in the NBA, serving as a rite of passage for rookies. Last year, Cleveland Cavaliers' rookie Jaylon Tyson experienced a similar fate, finding his car inundated with popcorn. The underlying message is clear: rookies must respect the veterans' rules and traditions, or face the consequences – albeit humorous ones. For Bona, this popcorn-filled lesson is one he undoubtedly won't soon forget. This also raises a question: are these pranks harmless fun, or do they contribute to a potentially intimidating and hierarchical environment for young players? Some might argue that it's all part of building camaraderie and team spirit, while others might see it as a form of hazing. What do you think? Are these NBA rookie pranks all in good fun, or do you think they cross a line? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
