Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson represent two of USA basketball's most daunting interior presences. Could they make an item, however?
That's what countless internet sleuths are trying to figure out for themselves. The Heat center and Aces center have been linked to one another for months. Those rumors have refused to die down during this year's Olympics, which both Adebayo and Wilson have been pivotal participants in.
Adebayo's decision to appear courtside at multiple of Wilson's games this Olympic cycle has only fanned such whisperings, 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 with one another.
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Are Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson dating?
Fans have been linking Adebayo and Wilson together romantically for months, if not longer. The two are reportedly quite close, with Adebayo routinely making appearances at Wilson's games for club and country.
Wilson returned the favor during this year's Olympics, offering her presence at Adebayo's games for the Heat, as well.
They have kept the good times rolling during this year's Olympics, with both strutting into the concourses to root on one another.
They also appear to be spending time off the floor with each other, at least based on this photo alleged to have been taken while the two were in Las Vegas for USA Basketball's first few exhibition games:
One of Adebayo's most recent appearances at Bercy Arena, during the USA women's clash with Nigeria, prompted an inquiry from fellow American star Devin Booker.
"He can't even stop it," Booker said.
Now, fans are calling Adebayo's perceived social media razzing of Wilson a "soft launch."
Ahead of Las Vegas' Aug. 18 meeting with Los Angeles, Wilson shared a photo of herself arriving at a game wearing gray sweatpants and a wrinkled white t-shirt "fresh out the pack."
40 minutes later, Adebayo seemingly subtweeted Wilson by asking the timeline if people stopped ironing their clothes after the pandemic.
Rumors took on new life 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 nature of the video itself has 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 during the ceremony. "I guess that has something to do with Bam and the Heat, huh? Being here today,"
If Wilson's reaction in the moment wasn't enough, her post on X speaks volumes about a potential connection with Adebayo.
While their games differ in some ways, Adebayo and Wilson share a great many similarities on both ends of the floor. Both pride themselves on their ability to shut down opposition offenses, using their lithe frames and athleticism to alter shots and get their mitts on errant passes. Adebayo and Wilson also possess frightening face-up games — both are more than willing to rise over their marker and fire home slick jump shots.
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The comparable nature of their play style has only intensified dating rumors between the two, so much so that some suggest the influences they make on one another are evident during games.
The internet has taken notice, paying special attention to Adebayo's strongest performances during this year's Olympic run. Many point to his showcase against South Sudan — a game in which he dropped 18 points and seven rebounds on 8-of-10 shooting — as evidence that he was taking notes ... and he had added motivation to bolster his game.
Warning: The following videos contain NSFW language.
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The reality is neither Adebayo nor Wilson have confirmed rumors that they're dating one another.
In June, Adebayo's Heat teammate, Jaime Jaquez Jr., did make an interesting comment. While streaming Apex Legends, Jaquez was asked whether Adebayo and Wilson were seeing each other.
Jaquez's response: "Listen, I'm not saying nothing. I cannot confirm or deny anything I don't know," Jaquez shared. "I plead the 5th."
So, are Adebayo and Wilson actually dating? It's unclear at the moment.
As far as basketball fans go, that might not actually mean anything. Expect the rumors to continue to swirl across the mystifying place that is social media and team-specific chat rooms, at least until Adebayo, Wilson or both of them speak on them.