Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bam Adebayo

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bam Adebayo made an impact.

Edrice Femi "Bam" Adebayo is a prominent American professional basketball player currently with the Miami Heat in the NBA. Drafted 14th overall in 2017 after playing college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, Adebayo has become a key player for the Heat. His accomplishments include being a three-time NBA All-Star and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He played a significant role in the Heat's NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. Adebayo also secured gold medals with the U.S. Olympic basketball teams in both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2014: Heat's last Finals appearance

In the 2019-2020 NBA Playoffs, Bam Adebayo helped the Heat to their first finals appearance since 2014.

November 17, 2015: Committed to the University of Kentucky

On November 17, 2015, Bam Adebayo committed to play basketball for the University of Kentucky.

2015: Competed at NBPA Top 100 Camp and Named MVP

In 2015, Bam Adebayo competed at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and was named MVP at the Under Armour Elite 24 game.

January 2016: McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic

In January 2016, Bam Adebayo played in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.

December 7, 2016: Scored 16 Points Against Valparaiso

On December 7, 2016, Bam Adebayo recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds in an 87–67 win against Valparaiso.

2016: Ranked as Top High School Prospect

In 2016, Bam Adebayo was rated as a five-star recruit and considered one of the best high school prospects of the 2016 class, ranked No. 5 overall and No. 2 power forward.

2016: Kentucky Season

In the 2016-2017 season, Bam Adebayo played 38 games for Kentucky, averaging 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, earning Second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman team honors.

February 21, 2017: Adebayo scores 22 points, Kentucky defeats Missouri

On February 21, 2017, Bam Adebayo scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help Kentucky defeat Missouri in a 72-62 victory.

March 12, 2017: SEC Championship Win

On March 12, 2017, Bam Adebayo grabbed nine rebounds to contribute to the Kentucky Wildcats' 82-65 victory over Arkansas, securing the SEC Championship.

June 22, 2017: Drafted by Miami Heat

On June 22, 2017, Bam Adebayo was selected by the Miami Heat as the 14th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

2017: Drafted by Miami Heat

In 2017, Bam Adebayo was selected by the Miami Heat as the 14th overall pick in the NBA draft.

November 25, 2018: Career-High 21 Rebounds

On November 25, 2018, Bam Adebayo achieved a career-high of 21 rebounds along with 16 points in a 125–115 loss against the Toronto Raptors.

December 10, 2019: First Career Triple-Double

On December 10, 2019, Bam Adebayo recorded his first career triple-double, scoring a career-high 30 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and providing 11 assists in a 135–121 overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks.

2019: Cut From National Team

In 2019, Adebayo was cut from the United States national team for the World Cup.

November 28, 2020: Signed Contract Extension with Heat

On November 28, 2020, Bam Adebayo signed a five-year, $163 million contract extension with the Miami Heat.

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Adebayo was named to the United States Olympic team and won a gold medal.

2020: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2020, Bam Adebayo helped lead the Heat to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, but they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games after Adebayo suffered an injury.

2020: NBA Finals and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Bam Adebayo helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals and won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.

January 23, 2021: Career-High 41 Points

On January 23, 2021, Bam Adebayo scored a career-high 41 points and delivered nine assists in a 128–124 loss against the Brooklyn Nets.

May 21, 2022: 31 points against Boston Celtics

On May 21, 2022, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Bam Adebayo recorded 31 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field along with 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in a 109–103 win over the Boston Celtics.

November 25, 2022: Season-High 38 Points

On November 25, 2022, Bam Adebayo scored a season-high 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 110–107 win over the Washington Wizards.

February 2, 2023: Named to Second NBA All-Star Game

On February 2, 2023, Bam Adebayo was named to his second NBA All-Star Game.

November 6, 2023: Triple-Double against Lakers

On November 6, 2023, Bam Adebayo recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, along with two steals and two blocks, in a 108–107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

2023: NBA Finals Loss

In 2023, Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat lost the NBA Finals in 5 games to the Denver Nuggets. He led the Heat in scoring and rebounding with averages of 21.8 points and 12.4 rebounds.

January 15, 2024: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

On January 15, 2024, Bam Adebayo was named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the games played from January 8 to 14, marking his second career NBA Player of the Week award.

April 24, 2024: Playoff Game 2 win against Celtics

On April 24, 2024, in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, Bam Adebayo had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 111–101 win.

July 6, 2024: Signed Contract Extension with the Heat

On July 6, 2024, Bam Adebayo signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Miami Heat.

2024: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2024, Bam Adebayo won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.

2024: Adebayo Commits to US National Team and Wins Gold

In 2024, after considering playing for the Nigerian team, Adebayo committed to play for the US National team at the Olympics, where Team USA won the gold medal in a rematch against France.

February 1, 2025: Game-Winning Buzzer Beater

On February 1, 2025, Bam Adebayo had 30 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, three blocks and hit a 19-foot game-winning buzzer beater against the San Antonio Spurs.

October 30, 2025: Season-High Performance Against Spurs

On October 30, 2025, Bam Adebayo achieved a season-high of 31 points and 10 rebounds in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, which resulted in a 107–101 loss for his team.

January 17, 2026: Adebayo Leads Heat to Victory Over Thunder

On January 17, 2026, Bam Adebayo scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, made four assists, and achieved a career-high of six three-pointers, leading the Heat to a 122–120 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.