Bam Adebayo has only been in the NBA for four years, but he is already being immortalized in Miami Heat history.
For years, the Heat have held a unique tradition of honoring players who win a Gold medal while a member of the team. So far, that list includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, and Tim Hardaway.
In the aftermath of Team USA’s Gold medal finish this past summer, Bam now gets to join those ranks.
“I want Miami to think of me as one of the greats to come through the city,” Adebayo said prior to the 2020 Tokyo Games via the AP’s Tim Reynolds. “I want to be able to warm up and see my name in the rafters.
“A lot of guys don’t get this opportunity, so my goal is just to make sure that I seize this moment and not mess around with it.”
The Heat are an organization of culture and class, so it’s no surprise they like to reward their players for going out and representing the U.S.A. on a global scale.
Of course, they also famously retired Michael Jordaan’s number in 2003, not because of a Gold medal, but because of all he’s done for the game itself.
“In honor of your greatness and for all you’ve done for the game of basketball – and not just the NBA, but for all the fans around the world – we want to honor you tonight and hang your jersey, No. 23, from the rafters,” then head coach Pay Riley said. “No one will ever wear No. 23 for the Miami Heat. You’re the best.”
So, it’s quite an honor for Bam to join greatness as a member of Miami Heat history, but the best may be yet to come.
With Bam, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and head coach Erik Spoelstra, the team will be competing for a title this season, which has always been their ultimate goal.
The franchise has not won a Championship since 2013.
