July really is birthday central in the NBA. If you had notifications on for the league’s X page today, your feed probably got hit with five straight “Happy Birthday” posts. And while July 18th doesn’t boast the numbers, it does carry weight, because it belongs to none other than Bam Adebayo. And guess who showed up first with the birthday love? His draft-day brother and longtime friend, Donovan Mitchell. Their bond’s been tight since 2017, and if you caught Spida’s Instagram story today, you’d know there’s a lot more to this friendship than what the public usually sees. Just the surface, really.

Mitchell and Adebayo share one of the NBA’s most authentic friendships, rooted in mutual respect and a shared journey as 2017 Draft classmates. Mitchell went 13th to the Jazz, Adebayo followed at 14th to the Heat—different paths, same starting line. Despite repping rival colleges—Louisville for Mitchell, Kentucky for Bam—their bond grew beyond hoops. Over the years, they’ve supported each other through All-Star rises, playoff battles, and off-court moments that built trust. In a league where friendships often feel surface-level, theirs stands out as real, grounded, and built to last—one that started on draft night and never looked back.

“Happy birthday my son @bam1of1 💯💯,” wrote Mitchell on his Insta story. His own birthday hasn’t even rolled around yet, but calling Bam “son”? That’s top-tier banter—classic Spida energy. It’s the kind of playful jab that only comes with years of genuine friendship. These two? Built differently. Imagine if that Donovan Mitchell-to-Miami trade actually happened? Watching Bam and Spida side-by-side would’ve been electric—a duo with chemistry, grit, and undeniable vibes. But Bam kept it real.

“The media saw that and magnified it,” Adebayo explained. “To me, it was just playing with one of my best friends.” He shut down the recruitment chatter with pure honesty: “The connection with him wasn’t even about recruiting. If he wanted to be here, he would’ve said so.” That’s loyalty and clarity, straight from the source. What could’ve been? Tempting. But for Bam, friendship with Donovan Mitchell never blurred the line between wishful thinking and respect, and this story confirms it again.

The bond between Spida and Bam Adebayo is all love. Genuine friendship, inside jokes, and years of mutual respect. But not every connection in Bam’s world comes off quite as smoothly. Case in point: A’ja Wilson.

Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson’s interaction was pure comedy gold

Yes, the two are dating, but their recent “interaction” before the WNBA All-Star Game had fans raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Bam straight-up ignored her, and the moment felt… awkward. No smiles, no nods, just a weird silence that instantly sparked buzz online. For a couple that usually keeps things low-key, this one public moment left everyone wondering—what’s going on here?

Stars from across the country pulled up for WNBA All-Star weekend—and the event delivered in every way. The vibes were elite, the crowd electric, and the spotlight shining bright. But what caught everyone’s attention? The arrival of A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo, rolling in with very different energy.

“A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo checking out tonight’s WNBA All-Star festivities ⭐,” read Yahoo! Sports’ Instagram caption paired with a video of the couple stepping into the arena. Wilson struck poses like a natural, effortlessly owning the moment. Bam? Not so much. He dodged the cameras like they owed him money. Bam Adebayo’s personality really is two sides of the same coin. On one side, you’ve got the heartwarming bromance with Donovan Mitchell—jokes, loyalty, and vibes that make anyone crack a smile. On the other?

That painfully awkward moment with A’ja Wilson at All-Star weekend. While she worked the cameras like a pro, the Miami Heat player dipped out of the spotlight like it was on fire, leaving her to handle the flashbulbs solo. It might’ve just been a mood… or a moment. Either way, let’s just say there’s a decent chance he’s spending the night on the couch with his phone on silent.