Adebayo Reaches 5,794 Rebounds, Breaking Heat Franchise Record

Bam Adebayo finished the season opener with his 5,794th career rebound, a total that places him above Udonis Haslem on the Miami Heat all-time list.

The milestone occurred during a 129-117 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This result marked the Heat's first victory in five attempts this season. Haslem retired in 2022 with 5,791 rebounds after 20 seasons in Miami. Adebayo added nine boards on Wednesday to secure the lead.

Haslem held the franchise record since November 2012. He served as the team captain until his retirement. Adebayo took over the captaincy role and now holds the top spot in team rebounding.

The center also ranks second in scoring behind Dwyane Wade. He is third in assists and steals, and fifth in blocked shots for the franchise. Since the 2017-18 season, only nine players in the NBA have accumulated more rebounds than Adebayo. He entered that league after the Heat selected him with the 14th pick in the 2017 draft out of Kentucky.

"Man, I can't really put it into words," Adebayo said in an on-court interview in Atlanta. A member of the Heat staff prepared the game ball for him. "The person I'm passing has been so close to me throughout my 10 years in this career, from the time I walked in until now."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described the moment as special for the locker room. "So well-deserved. He's done it with an iron will, a work ethic that's unmatched," Spoelstra said. He noted the physical toll of the position. "To be able to do it and break the record of his brother, UD, that's a really special moment."

Adebayo acknowledged the support system that helped him reach the milestone. "I came into this league just wanting to make an impact, leave a mark," he said. "And to pass some of the people who have been with me on this journey, can't do anything but thank God but also appreciate the people that have been around me."