Bam Adebayo’s Olympics Nickname Takes Off: Meet Bamonte

Bam Adebayo, the basketball star known for his explosive play on the court, has also made quite a splash with his nickname during the 2024 Olympics. While he’s often called Bam, his teammates have taken to calling him ‘Bamonte’, and it’s become a fun topic of conversation among fans and commentators alike.

The nickname ‘Bam’ actually comes from Adebayo’s childhood when he was inspired by ‘Bamm-Bamm Rubble’ from The Flintstones. Legend has it that he flipped a coffee table over while watching the show when he was just a year old, which led his mother to call him Bam.

Fast forward to the Tokyo Olympics, where things got a little humorous. During a moment on the court, former Team USA member Javale McGee asked Adebayo what his first name was short for. Adebayo shared that Bam isn’t short for anything—just a fun nickname. However, McGee jokingly suggested it could be ‘Bamonte’ instead, sparking a new wave of creativity among fans and teammates.

The nickname Bamonte really caught on this summer at the Paris Olympics, especially after Team USA players were asked about the best nickname on the team. Big stars like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Jrue Holiday all chimed in, agreeing that Bamonte pretty much wins the title for the coolest name.

<p“Last Olympics, Javale McGee asked him what his real name was," Holiday explained regarding the origins of the nickname. "He was like, ‘it’s probably Bamonte or something.’” It seems the playful spirit of the Olympics has breathed new life into Adebayo’s nickname, connecting past and present in a memorable way.