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 an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Miami Heat. Drafted 14th overall in 2017 after playing college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, Adebayo is a three-time NBA All-Star and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He played a key role in the Heat's NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. In 2020 and 2024, he won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team. He also holds the record for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with 83 points.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2014: Heat's Last Finals Appearance

In 2014, was the Heat's last finals appearance until Adebayo helped lead them to another.

November 17, 2015: Commitment to University of Kentucky

On November 17, 2015, Adebayo committed to the University of Kentucky.

December 7, 2016: Game vs Valparaiso

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

2016: Adebayo played for Kentucky

In the 2016-17 season, Adebayo played for Kentucky.

February 21, 2017: Victory against Missouri

On February 21, 2017, Adebayo scored 22 points and 15 rebounds to defeat Missouri in a 72–62 Victory.

March 12, 2017: SEC Championship Win

On March 12, 2017, Adebayo grabbed nine rebounds to help the Kentucky Wildcats defeat Arkansas 82–65 and win the SEC Championship.

June 22, 2017: Drafted by Miami Heat

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

2017: Adebayo Drafted

In 2017, Bam Adebayo was selected by the Miami Heat in the NBA draft.

November 25, 2018: Career High Rebounds

On November 25, 2018, Adebayo had a career-high 21 rebounds and 16 points in a 125–115 loss against the Toronto Raptors.

December 10, 2019: First Career Triple-Double

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

2019: Cut from United States national team

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

November 28, 2020: Contract Extension with the Heat

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

2020: NBA Finals and Olympic Gold Medal

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

2020: Named to 2020 Olympic team and won 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 finals appearance since 2014.

January 23, 2021: Career High Points

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

May 21, 2022: Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals

On May 21, 2022, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 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 Points

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

November 6, 2023: Triple-Double

On November 6, 2023, Adebayo put up 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

In 2023 Adebayo led the Heat in scoring and rebounding during the NBA Finals.

April 24, 2024: Game 2 vs Celtics

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

July 6, 2024: Contract Extension

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

2024: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2024: Committed to play for US National team at the Olympics and won gold medal

In 2024, after considering the Nigerian team, Adebayo committed to play for the US National team at the Olympics. Team USA would go on to win the gold medal in a rematch against France.

February 1, 2025: Game Winning Buzzer Beater

On February 1, 2025, 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: Loss to the San Antonio Spurs

On October 30, 2025, Bam Adebayo scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds; however, the Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 107–101.

January 17, 2026: Victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder

On January 17, 2026, Adebayo led the Heat to a 122–120 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, recording 30 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and a career-high six three-pointers.

March 8, 2026: Adebayo reaches 10,000 career points

On March 8, 2026, Adebayo achieved 10,000 career points, joining Dwyane Wade as the only players to reach this milestone in Heat franchise history, in a 121–110 win over the Detroit Pistons with 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

March 10, 2026: Adebayo Scores 83 Points

On March 10, 2026, Adebayo set the record for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history with 83 points in a 150–129 win against the Washington Wizards.