In a heartfelt interview featured in her Athlete of the Year profile for Time, WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson opened up about her relationship with Miami Heat player Bam Adebayo, highlighting their deep connection and future aspirations. Wilson, who is 29, described Adebayo, 28, as her “life partner,” expressing how significantly he has influenced her life. She fondly remarked, “Honestly, what on earth was my world before you?”
Wilson revealed that their romance began four years ago, much earlier than the public became aware of it last summer. She shared her dreams of starting a family with Adebayo, stating, “That is always a dream.” Their bond extends to family connections as well; Wilson mentioned that her father, Roscoe, frequently inquires about Adebayo, to which her mother, Eva, sometimes humorously replies, “Bam already told me,” suggesting a close family dynamic.
Amidst playful banter, Wilson also recounted her former college coach Dawn Staley’s curiosity about their wedding plans. She jokingly remarked, “That’s the question I need you to deliver to him!” Adebayo, when asked about the timing of a potential engagement, hinted at the public’s curiosity, stating, “Y’all will know, because people are nosy and they’ll look at her hands. There you go.”
Both athletes, who achieved success together with Team USA during the Paris Olympics, emphasized their strong friendship as the foundation of their relationship. Adebayo affectionately referred to Wilson as “twin,” explaining that they share similar aspirations and strive to support each other in their personal and professional lives. “We want to do this together,” he added, praising Wilson as a “strong Black woman” who embodies grace and positivity in all her endeavors.
Speculations about their romance first sparked last year when the couple was seen dining together before the Summer Olympics. Their closeness became more evident during their time in Paris, where they enjoyed various outings together. Although they had not publicly confirmed their relationship for some time, Wilson referred to Adebayo as her “Valentine” during a February interview.
The couple’s bond was further showcased in September when Adebayo presented Wilson with her fourth MVP award, celebrating her excellence following remarks from the league commissioner, who praised her leadership and skill, labeling her one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
