Adebayo becomes the first Heat player to win a Gold Medal since LeBron James in 2012.
Bam Adebayo is adding another impressive part to his young basketball resume — an Olympic Gold Medal.
Team USA beat France in the Gold Medal game 87-82.
The Miami Heat center started all six Olympic games for Team USA and helped lead the team to win the Gold Medal and finish 5-1 during their time in Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Olympic games held in 2021.
Adebayo was never a featured scorer for Team USA, but he was an integral part of their motion offense with his dribble hand-off ability and his defensive versatility was essential as the team operated on a clear switching system on defense. Adebayo’s ability to switch on the smaller guards and not be at a mismatch was crucial for the team, although the guards had a harder time matching up big down low.
Here’s what his stat lines looked like throughout the Olympics.
France (Gold Medal Game) — 6 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
Australia — 3 points, 8 rebounds
Spain — 5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Czech Republic — 6 points, 3 rebounds
Iran — 6 points, 3 blocks
France — 12 points, 10 rebounds
Ironically, Bam’s best game came in the team’s only loss.
France was a worthy opponent for Team USA — with 8 players with NBA experience and led by defensive specialist Rudy Gobert. France was able to beat USA in the first game of pool play and didn’t lose until the Gold Medal game against Team USA.
Adebayo and Draymond Green were the only power players in the rotation for Team USA. Javale McGee was on the roster but did not factor in. Bam was a key part of the final stretch in the Gold Medal game as he played nearly all of the last 8+ minutes matched up against Rudy Gobert and the 7’2” Moustapha Fall.
Bam has really enjoyed his experience with Team USA.
“It’s definitely going to make me a better player, just for the simple fact I can, if need be, call one of them and just ask them a couple of questions.”
When Bam left for USA Basketball training camp in Vegas, the Miami Heat looked a lot different. They’ve added Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, Markieff Morris and others since then. When he returns, it’s time to work with just about two months until Miami Heat training camp.
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