Bam Adebayo jokes about Bradley Beal tweet but serious about youth clinic


Bam Adebayo couldn’t help himself.

So when it came to the Miami Heat center pranking Bradley Beal, after the two had spent time together in June at the NBA Awards, Adebayo went deep, tracking Beal’s Twitter account until he came up with this Jan. 13, 2012 post:

“I like the Heat over anyyy team!”

That was back when Beal still was a Florida Gator, before he was drafted No. 3 that June by the Washington Wizards, a full 7 1/2 years before rumors developed this month of the Heat possibility seeking a trade for the high-scoring guard.

No matter, with Adebayo last week retweeting Beal’s dated post with an added comment of, “Hey Big Head.”

All in good fun, Adebayo thought.

Until social media speculation followed: Did Adebayo know something about Beal, the Heat and the Wizards that fans didn’t?

“It was a joke,” Adebayo attempted to explain this week from his North Carolina home. “It was just a joke between me and Bradley Beal.

“I’d seen him at the NBA Awards. We talked a little bit. It wasn’t nothing serious. It was just fun stuff. It was just something to get the fans riled up.”

Because, in the end, it is who Adebayo is, a kid at heart.

Which also is what makes this weekend so special, with Adebayo hosting a clinic for youths from third to 12th grades Saturday at Riviera Preparatory School in Kendall, with proceeds to benefit the Bam Foundation.

“I feel like I’m more part of the community now,” he said, as he prepares for his third season with the Heat, after being selected at No. 13 out of Kentucky in 2017. “I feel like I’m more a part of the Miami people don’t see, and a lot of people from those parts respect me. And just by doing that, you get the respect of the whole, complete Miami.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges of becoming a face of the Heat. But it also takes time and patience. So I’m willing to take on that challenge.”

Although he ended the season as the Heat’s starting center, the trade of Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers further cemented his role in the Heat’s lineup.

Heat center Bam Adebayo is hosting a youth clinic Saturday.
Heat center Bam Adebayo is hosting a youth clinic Saturday.

“They said they see a bright future for me, and they’re willing to keep me and I appreciate that,” he said, mentioned, himself, in trade permutations for Russell Westbrook before the Oklahoma City Thunder guard was dealt to the Houston Rockets. “But it is a big responsibility. It’s a lot of pressure to it. I’m about to be 22 on Thursday, and you’re about to become a starting center for a whole season for a big franchise. And that comes with a lot of responsibility and challenges.”

The flip side of the Whiteside trade was losing locker-room partner in laughter Josh Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers in the machinations for the acquisition of Jimmy Butler.

“I mean it’s a sad day. We both know it’s a business. But a business can’t stop a brotherhood,” Adebayo said. “So he’s still going to be my brother.”

The next challenge will be forging a relationship with Butler, who figures to step into the veteran leadership role Dwyane Wade held last season.

“I’ve talked to Jimmy maybe two or three times, but it’s always been because D-Wade has been there, because me and Jimmy don’t really know each other,” Adebayo said. “But he’s a good friend of D-Wade’s. So if you’re a good friend of D-Wade’s, you’re a good friend of mine, because D-Wade only keeps positive people in his circle.”

Presented by the Bam Foundation and OnDecker and sponsored by Pollo Tropical, Bam Adebayo’s one-day basketball clinic will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Riviera Preparatory School in Kendall. Registration fee is $100, open to those from third to 12th grade. Registration information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bams-youth-basketball-clinic-tickets-60928749530.