Bam Adebayo made history when he scored 83 points the day the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat 150–129. Detractors kept pointing at his 43 free throw attempts to downplay the achievement, but it was special to him for another reason.

Adebayo beat Kobe Bryant’s 81-point mark after two decades to score the second-most points in a single NBA game. His mother, Marilyn Blount, revealed that March 10 was his grandmother's birthday.

“I told him, ‘Bam, I know mama was jumping for joy up there in heaven for you, boy.’ That was a blessing," she told the Miami Herald in an exclusive interview.

She also teased Adebayo about it a few days ahead of the clash. "Bam, now, you know your grandmother and your aunt’s birthday... You know, you better score and win because she’ll come back and haunt you,” said Marilyn Blount.

Marilyn was in transit when her brother called to inform her that Bam had not only been named MVP but also dropped the historic 83 against the Wizards. The number carried a deeper meaning as his grandmother had passed away at 83.

It was an emotional endeavor for the entire family, especially for Marilyn, who could not stop tearing up. And once she reached the arena, Adebayo could not hold back his tears either.

When Bam Adebayo Teared Up in Front of His Mother

After defeating the Wizards, Adebayo made his way to the stands where his mother was seated. When he reached her, he wrapped Marilyn in an emotional hug, a moment captured by cameras as a teary-eyed Bam embraced her.

However, what the cameras couldn’t capture was the fact that the tears quietly streamed down Marlyin’s cheeks. “When he grabbed and hugged me, he said, ‘Lord, thank you, Ma. Thank you, Ma,” Marilyn said.

She further added, “Oh my God, I couldn’t help but cry. I had my back turned because they didn’t really see me on the camera, but they really got Bam. Boy, that was, oh, that was the happiest moment. And then to do it on my mother’s birthday and my sister’s birthday. That’s incredible.”

The moment was certainly phenomenal, not just for Bam, but for his entire family. With that in mind, what are your thoughts on him?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi