With USA Basketball running low on sign-ups, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has accepted an invite by Team USA to join the forthcoming training camp, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Adebayo joins a talented pool of American players ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, which saw various All-Stars and high profile players drop out of consideration, including Zion Williamson, Bradley Beal, Tobias Harris, DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Anthony Davis, Montrezl Harrell, and C.J. McCollum, among others.
The 22-year-old Heat center joins a training camp field that includes fellow big men like Mason Plumlee, Thaddeus Young, Andre Drummond, Brook Lopez, and Myles Turner.
Adebayo, at 6-foot-10, is prime to have a breakout season in South Beach following the Heat's trade of Hassan Whiteside, who was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers in the four-team sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. Last season in 82 games and 28 starts, Adebayo averaged 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists a contest, shooting 57.6% from the floor and 73.5% from the free throw line.
Bam, however, will have stiff competition from the USA's Select Team in training camp—younger players invited to play scrimmage against the more seasoned ballers with little chance to make the team. Those names include Jarrett Allen, Marvin Bagley III, John Collins, Jonathan Isaac, and Mitchell Robinson. Adebayo's Team USA invite, though, is a sign that the American governing body of international basketball competition values the rising junior's performance on the court and could be an asset either on the team or in practice.
Follow Us
Subscribe