Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson represent two of the most formidable interior presences in American basketball. But could they have a good matchup?
That’s what countless internet sleuths are trying to figure out for themselves. The Heat center and the Aces center have been linked to each other for months. Those rumors continued to circulate during this year’s Olympics, in which both Adebayo and Wilson were key players.
Adebayo’s decision to appear on the court multiple times during Wilson’s games this Olympic cycle has only fueled those rumors, so much so that his own teammates are getting in on the action.
Here’s what you need to know about Adebayo, Wilson, and their alleged relationship.
Are Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson Dating?
Fans have been linking Adebayo and Wilson for months, if not longer. The two men are said to be very close, with Adebayo regularly making appearances at Wilson’s club and country games.
Bam Adebayo, Donovan Mitchell, Grant Williams and Torrey Craig stopped by to watch A’Ja Wilson and the Aces ? pic.twitter.com/zmDQAAsoiL
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2023
Wilson returned the favor at this year’s Olympics, also pitching in at Adebayo’s games for the Heat.
A’ja Wilson speaks out at Heat-Lakers game with important message for basketball fans ? @_ajawilson22 | @LVAces pic.twitter.com/w7Y2fzFt8m
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 5, 2023
They continued to have fun during this year’s Olympics, both strutting through the halls to cheer each other on.
A’ja Wilson and Snoop Dogg take their seats before the Brazil-USA match ?? #Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/4jYZhtD0Kp
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 6, 2024
Everyone watches women’s sports.
? NBC + Peacock
?? #USABWNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/U6MyCBmUTG
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 9, 2024
They also appear to be spending time together off the court, at least according to this photo that was reportedly taken while they were in Las Vegas for USA Basketball’s first exhibition games:
Another OFFICIAL photo. Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson spotted together in Vegas ?. pic.twitter.com/GGDyNGyPId
— NBA & NFL GOSSIP (@nbagossippp) July 9, 2024
One of Adebayo’s most recent appearances at Bercy Arena, in the United States women’s team’s clash with Nigeria, prompted an inquiry from fellow American star Devin Booker.
“He can’t even stop it,” Booker said.
The book was definitely making fun of Bam about A’ja here ? pic.twitter.com/DqHhrBRFWh
— Cooper (@coopoorme) August 8, 2024
Today, fans are calling Adebayo’s mockery of Wilson on social media a “soft launch.”
Ahead of the Aug. 18 matchup between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, Wilson shared a photo of herself arriving at a game wearing gray sweatpants and a wrinkled white T-shirt “fresh out of the package.”
Fresh out of the package ? pic.twitter.com/WqCyRu7pO5
– A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) August 19, 2024
40 minutes later, Adebayo apparently subtweeted Wilson asking the timeline if people had stopped ironing their clothes after the pandemic.
Do people still iron their clothes? Or did it stop after Covid?
— 1 p.m. Adebayo? (@Bam1of1) August 19, 2024
The rumors took a new turn when Wilson flew from Las Vegas to Miami to support Adebayo as he received a key to the city for winning gold at the Paris Olympics. The very nature of the video amused social media.
“A’ja Wilson is here today and she won gold in women’s basketball!” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at the ceremony. “I guess it has something to do with Bam and the Heat, huh? Being here today.”
Also a big thank you to A’ja Wilson, who was present at the event. pic.twitter.com/oUOJlEaDah
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 4, 2024
If Wilson’s reaction in the moment wasn’t enough, his post on X speaks volumes about a potential connection to Adebayo.
– A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) September 4, 2024
While their games differ in some ways, Adebayo and Wilson share many similarities on both ends of the floor. Both pride themselves on their ability to shut down opposing offenses, using their flexibility and athleticism to alter shots and get their hands on errant passes. Adebayo and Wilson also possess a frightening face-up game—both are more than willing to rise above their marker and take jump shots.
The similar nature of their playing styles has only intensified the dating rumors between the two, so much so that some suggest the influences they exert on each other are evident during matches.
when you and your girlfriend have the same shooting technique >>>> https://t.co/05uwrjvGMN
-Dana Waynnaa (@danaoneika) July 7, 2024
The internet has taken note of his performances, paying particular attention to Adebayo’s best performances during his Olympic run this year. Many point to his performance against South Sudan—a game in which he scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting—as evidence that he was taking notes…and had extra motivation to improve his game.
Warning: The following videos contain NSFW language.
bam adebayo when a’ja is within 5 miles of the game he is playing: pic.twitter.com/ktCuPuRVGp
— ?❦. (@GAIASTRAPHOUSE) July 31, 2024
Bam with A’ja in the standspic.twitter.com/pxqEbhM6TW https://t.co/liVeH5jc8I
— dvd (@daviidkellam) July 31, 2024
The reality is that neither Adebayo nor Wilson have confirmed the rumors that they are dating.
In June, Adebayo’s Heat teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr. made an interesting comment. During an Apex Legends stream, Jaquez was asked if Adebayo and Wilson were seeing each other.
Jaquez’s response: “Look, I’m not saying anything. I can’t confirm or deny anything that I don’t know,” Jaquez said. “I’m pleading the 5th Amendment.”
Jaime Jaquez Jr. on Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson’s relationship:
“I plead the 5th”
A BIG THANK YOU TO @Disobey_y for ALL these clips pic.twitter.com/zMfmrjew7u
— JJJ Muse (@JaimeJaquezMuse) June 22, 2024
So, are Adebayo and Wilson? In fact Meetings? It’s not clear at the moment.
For basketball fans, that may not mean anything. Expect rumors to continue to circulate in that mysterious place of social media and team-specific message boards, at least until Adebayo, Wilson, or both speak out on those networks.
