Heat star Bam Adebayo commits to play for Team USA at Tokyo Olympics
from Erin Walsh at YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
The Team USA Olympic basketball roster continues to fill up with the latest addition of Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. Adebayo announced his commitment to play at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This will not be Adebayo’s first experience with USA Basketball. The 23-year-old was previously cut from the U.S. team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He has never competed at the Olympics.
Adebayo had a career season during the 2020-21 campaign with the Heat, averaging a career-high 18.7 points, nine rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field and 25% from deep. He also led Miami in blocks (66), offensive rebounds (142), defensive rebounds (431) and total rebounds (573) while finishing second in steals (75).
However, the Kentucky product struggled in the playoffs as Miami was swept out of the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Team USA has also received commitments from Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green and Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
USA Basketball is aiming to fill its 12-man roster by the end of this month. Some of the NBA’s biggest stars, including Adebayo’s teammate Jimmy Butler and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, have already decided not to compete at the Olympics.
The U.S. women’s team announced its roster on Monday.