The Bam — Miami's defensive anchor and one of the most versatile big men in the modern NBA.
Edrice Femi Adebayo was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1997. Miami Heat selected him 14th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft after one season at the University of Kentucky. He has developed into one of the NBA's most complete two-way big men. He was selected to four All-Star games. He has been a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award multiple times. He led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. His block in the dying seconds of Game 1 of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals — rejecting Jayson Tatum's potential game-tying lay-up — is one of the most celebrated defensive plays in recent playoff history. He won Olympic gold with the USA at Tokyo 2020. His versatility — he can defend point guards through centres, handle the ball in transition and function as a secondary playmaker — makes him the prototype for the modern NBA centre. He averaged 18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, making him one of very few centres in NBA history to average those numbers simultaneously.
Elite defensive center, versatile big man with playmaking ability
How They Played
Two-way center with elite defense, rim protection, and exceptional passing for his position
Lasting Impact
Modern NBA center who redefined the position with his defensive versatility and passing
All-Star 4x
Career Honours
- All-Star 4x
- All-NBA Second Team
- Defensive Player of the Year runner-up
- Olympic Gold Medal