Athletic big man, Bam Adebayo is one of the top bigmen in the class and is headed to Kentucky next season. We had the opportunity to catch up with Bam at the McDonald’s All American Game, this is what he had to say.
NBADraft.net: How’d you get the nickname Bam?
Bam Adebayo: I was just raised with it. Me and my mom was watching Flintstones when I was younger and then I was just being bad I guess, and she just named me Bam then.
NBADraft.net: How has Chicago been so far?
Bam Adebayo: It’s been fun. It’s a good experience. I’ve been here once but I have never experienced nothing like this, going to the Ronald McDonald House with the kids that are going through stuff, struggling to stay alive and we’re walking around here happy with our lives, like we don’t have anything to worry about.
NBADraft.net: Do you feel like you have anything to prove playing in this game?
Bam Adebayo: It’s more so just focusing on me and my development of being a better basketball player.
NBADraft.net: To somebody who hasn’t seen you play before, how would you describe your game to them?
Bam Adebayo: I’m just relentless on the boards. I play hard. I make the right decisions. I make open shots.
NBADraft.net: Is there anybody you base your game off of?
Bam Adebayo: No, I steal all my stuff from some retired and some that are in the league now.
NBADraft.net: What’s the main thing you want to add to your game or work on before you go to college?
Bam Adebayo: I’m working on it all so I can’t be one dimensional. That’s all I’m focused on, not being one dimensional and just somebody that can be like “oh he just does this, he just does that”, I just want to do it all.
NBADraft.net: Who has been the most difficult opponent you have ever faced?
Bam Adebayo: That’s a hard one…that’s tough…I can’t think of one right now.
NBADraft.net: At what age did you realize basketball was something you wanted to pursue?
Bam Adebayo: When I started, it was probably like sixth, seventh grade. Because I started playing when I was in sixth but after people started telling me you can go far with it just keep working and after that I just put the time in and now I’m here.
NBADraft.net: What made Kentucky stand out above the other schools recruiting you?
Bam Adebayo: Just Coach Cal’s will to win and their will to win, and them just being undefeated and just losing one game the whole season. It’s just their strive for greatness.
NBADraft.net: How familiar are you with your future Kentucky teammates?
Bam Adebayo: I mean we hang out, we’re hanging out all over here. There goes De’Aaron (Fox) and Malik (Monk) talking to each other, we just got a good bond with each other.
NBADraft.net: With Kentucky potentially having a lot of players getting drafted, does that add any pressure to you guys coming in?
Bam Adebayo: No, we’re just focused on us and what we’re going to do.
NBADraft.net: What’s been your biggest basketball moment so far?
Bam Adebayo: Just the Ronald McDonald House. The kids look up to us and it’s just an impact on my life that I can see kids just going through a lot of stuff and they still just walk around here just being happy.
NBADraft.net: What separates you from your peers playing in this game?
Bam Adebayo: I got a motor and I just don’t stop playing. I don’t like losing. I’m a bad loser, I’m a bad loser. I just take the game so serious but I like to have fun while I’m playing, but I take it seriously.
NBADraft.net: If you could go back and give advice to a ninth grade Bam, what would you say?
Bam Adebayo: Just keep working. Do school work, stay on the grind, just be yourself.
NBADraft.net: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Bam Adebayo: I can’t tell you because I’m focused on me. Five years, I don’t know. Hopefully in the NBA, making good money, and being happy.
