The Las Vegas Aces are charging into the WNBA playoffs on a record 16-game winning streak, led by none other than A’Ja Wilson, fresh off her second straight AP Player of the Year award. She’s wrapping up her seventh season with the Aces, looking unstoppable. On the NBA side, Bam Adebayo—the three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team standout who helped the Heat reach the Finals in 2020 and 2023—has quietly become headline because he is her boyfriend. Talk about a true powerhouse couple!

Who is A’ja Wilson’s boyfriend, Bam Adebayo?

Bam Adebayo, born Edrice Femi Adebayo on July 18, 1997, didn’t have an easy start in life. After his dad, late John Adebayo, left, he was raised by his mom, Marilyn Blount, in a single-parent household, and they even lived in a run-down caravan in South Carolina while she worked as a cashier. Life was tough, but his mom kept pushing him to focus on school and dream big. She even nicknamed him “Bam” because of her love for The Flintstones. Blessed with serious athletic talent, Bam stood out at Northside High School in Pinetown, NC, catching the eye of scouts. He later attended High Point Christian Academy before earning a scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

He started at Northside High School in Pinetown, NC, then transferred to High Point Christian Academy, leading the Cougars to a NCISAA state championship game. In high school, he averaged 18.9 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals and blocks per game over 30 games. That earned him a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he started all 38 games in 2016-17, averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting nearly 60% from the field. He racked up awards like All-SEC First Team, SEC All-Freshman Team, and SEC All-Tournament Team, and then entered the NBA as one of three Kentucky players drafted in the first round of 2017, alongside De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk.

What are Bam Adebayo’s age and height?

Bam Adebayo stands a towering 6’9” and weighs 255 pounds—basically a human mountain on the court! Even with all the challenges growing up, his family made sure faith stayed front and center. A devout Christian, Bam credits much of his success to God’s guidance and blessings. He often talks about trusting God’s plan for his life, letting his faith guide both his game and his life off the court.

When did A’ja Wilson meet Bam Adebayo?

A’Ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo’s story started long before anyone realized it. The duo had been friends for years, cheering each other on during games, but the sparks of romance first hit headlines around the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. On August 11, 2024, Bam supported A’Ja courtside during the Women’s Basketball Gold Medal match between Team USA and Team France, alongside Derek White and LeBron James. Fans started noticing subtle hints on social media, and by September 2024, their chemistry couldn’t be ignored—Bam even attended a ceremony where he received a key to Miami-Dade County, with A’Ja in the crowd. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava playfully teased them, saying, “I guess that has something to do with Bam and the Heat being here today.”

The playful hints didn’t stop there. On September 12, 2024, Bam cheekily celebrated A’Ja breaking the WNBA’s single-season scoring record on social media, writing “U’nanimous” with an apostrophe, a nod to her first name and MVP-worthy season. A few days later, he kept fans guessing with more cryptic posts showing his unwavering support. Fast forward to January 2025, and things got even more real—the pair were spotted on a dinner date in L.A., signaling their friendship had blossomed into romance. Bam even wore A’Ja’s A’One sneakers during a Miami Heat game against the Brooklyn Nets, which she called “super dope” in a People interview, adding, “He really wanted to be at the forefront of pushing my shoes. If I have to put it out in the NBA, why not have someone like Bam Adebayo, who’s just a good person all around, to kind of showcase my shoes, so I was thankful he was able to wear it.”

By February 2025, the romance was quietly official. Bam sat courtside for A’Ja’s No. 22 jersey retirement ceremony at South Carolina on February 2, where she gave him a heartfelt shoutout: “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the love, support and sacrifices of so many people. What a blessing to have those most special to me courtside today, especially my favorite Olympian from out of town.” Even during Valentine’s Day 2025, when they couldn’t spend the day together because Bam needed rest, A’Ja explained, “And that’s the best Valentine gift that I can truly give him, is just the rest.”

In April 2025, A’Ja opened up more about their relationship in her Cosmo Sports cover interview, calling Bam her “safe place.” She gushed, “I have an amazing boyfriend who really is my safe space. He’s truly a gift… When you can be your true self in front of someone, in front of your partner, that’s the purest form of love. At any point if I ever need a voice to hear or just a hug, he’s always there.” From longtime friends to a low-key but clearly strong couple, A’Ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo have shown that love can grow quietly and powerfully.

What does Bam Adebayo do?

Bam Adebayo makes his living as a professional basketball player in the NBA, where he’s become one of the most important pieces for the Miami Heat. Drafted by the team in 2017, he’s now played eight seasons and built a reputation as a versatile big man who can impact the game on both ends. Across 567 regular-season games, Adebayo has averaged 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while also earning three All-Star selections and being named to the NBA All-Defensive Team five times.

His success hasn’t just been about personal achievements either—he’s deeply invested in the Heat’s future. Following a turbulent 2024–25 season that ended with a first-round playoff exit, Adebayo spoke about the team’s new direction. “It’s a very good shake-up for our team and now there’s a different dynamic to it,” he told Miami Herald reporter Anthony Chiang, making it clear that he’s ready to embrace what comes next.

Who are Bam Adebayo’s parents?

Bam Adebayo’s story is deeply shaped by his parents, the late John Adebayo and Marilyn Blout. Marilyn raised Bam on her own in North Carolina after John left for Nigeria. She worked long hours as a cashier at Acre Station Meat Farm while raising her son in a trailer, determined to give him every chance to succeed. Bam often credits his mother for instilling resilience and faith in him. As he once told ESPN, “My mom never had nothing that she could call her own. So growing up and being able to do something different with basketball and be a special player, that was something that I’ve always had in my mind. I’ve always wanted to do. And just having the opportunity to do it for my mom is an incredible experience.”

His father, John Adebayo, a Nigerian businessman, met Marilyn in the U.S. but later returned to Nigeria, where he lived until his passing in 2020. Bam, born of mixed heritage, proudly embraces both sides—his mother’s African-American roots and his father’s Nigerian ethnicity. That dual identity even opened the door for him to play internationally; though he initially joined Team USA’s training camp in 2019, Nigeria also tried to bring him in through his father’s lineage.

What is Bam Adebayo’s net worth in 2025? 

Bam Adebayo’s bank account is looking just as strong as his game. As of 2025, his net worth sits at an impressive $35 million, built from his NBA salary, endorsement deals, and smart investments. He’s one of the Miami Heat’s biggest cornerstones and secured a massive three-year contract extension in 2024 worth $166 million, which runs through the 2028-29 season. For the 2025-26 campaign alone, he’s set to pocket a base salary of $37,096,620 (Spotrac.com)—not bad for a kid who once grew up in a trailer with his mom.

On top of that, Bam’s got a powerhouse lineup of endorsement deals that keep his name everywhere. He’s signed with Nike and its subsidiary Jordan Brand, representing some of the most iconic logos in sports. He’s also part of Panini America, where his face shows up on trading cards, plus partnerships with Beats by Dre and JBL Audio—so whether it’s sneakers, headphones, or collectibles, Bam’s brand is everywhere. Here’s a quick breakdown of the 2021-25 designated rookie extension contract:

What is Bam Adebayo’ Instagram account? 

Bam Adebayo keeps it simple on socials—on X, he’s @Bam1of1, and on Instagram, @bam1of1, where over 1 million fans follow his every move.

At the end of the day, Bam Adebayo isn’t just A’ja Wilson’s boyfriend—he’s a three-time All-Star, a proud son, and a man grounded in faith and family. Together, the power couple is building something far bigger than basketball.