Who is the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo? The rags-to-riches centre-forward has joined the ranks of LeBron James and Kevin Durant by becoming a Nike athlete – and may be dating WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson

Dec 30 , 2024

Meet the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, who may be dating WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. Photos: Las Vegas Sun via AP; Getty Images via AFP

Adebayo represented Team USA at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, both times winning gold, and has signed an extension contract with the Miami Heat that will reportedly bring in US$166 million over 3 years

The WNBA recently announced Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, 28, as their unanimous pick for MVP this year. With an average of 26.9 points and 11.8 this season, the forward is only the second player ever in the league to win the title with unanimous votes since the league launched in 1997.

Las Vegas Aces centre A’ja Wilson celebrates a play against the Chicago Sky during a WNBA basketball game in September, in Las Vegas. Photo: Las Vegas Sun via Associated Press

While she’ll likely be celebrating her victory with teammates and family, she might also be sharing this career highlight with her rumoured boyfriend, fellow basketball pro Bam Adebayo, 27.

Bam Adebayo is rumoured to be in a relationship with A’ja Wilson. Photo: @bam1of1/Instagram

Speculation around the two escalated when a photo was posted on the Miami Heat’s X (formerly Twitter) account. The pic, captioned, “A’random [apostrophe included] photo of Bam on this lovely Sunday,” following the announcement of Wilson’s win, seemed to confirm the ballers’ relationship.

In September, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava slipped when asked why Wilson was in attendance at the ceremony when she presented Adebayo with the key to the city. She told reporters that Wilson’s appearance might have “something to do with Bam and the Heat”.

A Polaroid of Bam Adebayo taken in September, in Miami, Florida. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Despite these telltale signs of the two’s relationship, the two players neither confirmed nor denied their involvement. Taking home the MVP title for the third time, it could well be that Wilson prefers the spotlight on her performance on the court rather than her personal relationship.

With a lucrative contract extension with the Miami Heat, endorsement deals, and running a charitable foundation, Adebayo also has plenty on his plate. So what do we know about him?

Bam Adebayo’s humble beginnings

Bam Adebayo gets his nickname from The Flintstones. Photo: @bam1of1/Instagram