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 professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Drafted 14th overall in 2017 after playing college basketball for Kentucky, Adebayo is a three-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He played a key role in the Heat's NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. Adebayo won gold medals with the U.S. Olympic basketball teams in 2020 and 2024. On March 10, 2026 he set the second-highest scoring record in a single NBA game with 83 points.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 17, 2015: Commitment to the University of Kentucky

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

2015: MVP at Under Armour Elite 24 game

In 2015, Adebayo was named MVP at the Under Armour Elite 24 game.

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

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

2016: College Basketball Season

During the 2016-17 season, Adebayo played basketball for Kentucky, where he averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

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: NBA Draft Selection

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

2017: NBA Draft and Miami Heat Career

In 2017, Bam Adebayo was drafted by the Miami Heat as the 14th overall pick.

November 25, 2018: Career-High Rebounds

On November 25, 2018, 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, 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: Adebayo cut from United States national team

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

2019: Increased Role with the Heat

In 2019, after the Heat traded Hassan Whiteside, Bam Adebayo took on greater responsibilities as a starter.

November 28, 2020: Contract Extension with the Heat

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

2020: Adebayo wins 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 the Miami Heat reach their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. The Heat eventually lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games after Adebayo suffered an injury in Game 1.

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.

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.

February 2, 2023: NBA All-Star Game Selection

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

November 6, 2023: Triple-Double Against Lakers

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

2023: NBA Finals Appearance

In 2023, Bam Adebayo assisted the Heat in reaching the NBA Finals.

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

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

July 6, 2024: Contract Extension with the Heat

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

2024: Adebayo commits to US National team at the Olympics

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

2024: Olympic Gold Medal

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

October 30, 2025: Adebayo scores 31 points against Spurs

On October 30, 2025, Bam Adebayo scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 107–101 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

January 17, 2026: Adebayo leads Heat to victory over Thunder

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

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

On March 8, 2026, Adebayo put up 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a 121–110 win over the Detroit Pistons and reached 10,000 career points, joining Dwyane Wade as the only players to achieve at least 10,000 career points in Heat franchise history.