It’s not unusual for rookie players in the NBA to endure a few light-hearted pranks, but Philadelphia 76ers’ big man Adem Bona just experienced one that went completely over the top.
What started as a normal day quickly turned into a hilarious mess involving popcorn, missing tires, and plenty of laughter from his teammates.
The Rookie Rule Still Applies
Though Bona completed his first NBA season with Philadelphia, appearing in 58 games and making a solid impression, teammate Andre Drummond wasn’t quite ready to let him off the rookie hook.
According to Drummond, players don’t officially graduate from rookie status until their second season officially tips off — meaning Bona was fair game for one final prank.
Popcorn Mayhem and a Missing Tire
The chaos began when Drummond shared a TikTok showing Bona’s car completely filled with popcorn — every inch of the vehicle stuffed like a movie theater gone rogue.
To make matters worse, one of Bona’s car tires had been removed and placed neatly on his chair in the locker room.
As Drummond filmed the scene, he laughed and said, “This is what happens when you don’t follow instructions.”
When Bona saw what had happened, he looked both stunned and amused, insisting he was no longer a rookie.
His claim didn’t get much sympathy, though — Drummond cheekily told him someone had said, “Get off the table,” while Joel Embiid could be heard cracking up in the background.
Teammates Couldn’t Stop Laughing
Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. later went to inspect Bona’s popcorn-filled car, helping themselves to a handful of snacks as they documented the mischief.
The veteran center even issued a playful warning to rookie V.J. Edgecombe, telling him he’d be “next” if he didn’t follow the team’s rookie protocols.
Bona’s Promising Start and Philly’s Rough Season
Despite the popcorn fiasco, Bona’s first year in the league showed real potential.
He averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 70.3 percent from the field — solid numbers for a young player still finding his footing.
Unfortunately, the Sixers as a whole had a disappointing year, finishing 24-58 as key stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain all missed significant time due to injuries.
Their struggles landed Philadelphia the No. 3 pick in the draft, which they used to select Edgecombe — now the team’s newest rookie target.
Looking Ahead to the New Season
The Sixers’ fresh start begins next Wednesday, when they travel to Boston to face the Celtics in their season opener.
Embiid is still recovering from knee surgery, while George and McCain will sit out the first game.
As for Bona, he can finally drop the “rookie” label — and maybe park his car somewhere safer.
After enduring the popcorn prank of the year, he’s surely learned one thing: in the NBA, laughter (and a bit of good-natured payback) is all part of the game.