International Career
Standing 6'10" at 240 pounds, Bonner was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft, and then traded to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors recognized the potential in Bonner but did not have a roster position available. Bonner was asked to spend a year in Europe honing his skills with a verbal promise to give him a shot at making the team in 2004.
After signing with Sicilia Messina of the Italian league based in Messina, Sicily, 2003 proved to be a harrowing year for Bonner. Bonner survived a 104.5 degree Fahrenheit fever brought on by a bout of salmonella (treated by the team dentist) most likely caused by a lack of running hot water in his apartment. Sicilia had filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season and had stopped paying its players. Bonner's heat and electricity were shut off and he was given two eviction notices. Despite half the team leaving, Bonner stuck it out and finished the year averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.
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