NEW YORK — Bam Adebayo arrived at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue Saturday night, ready to share some holiday cheer with young people from Covenant House, New York City’s largest homeless shelter for youth.
With Heat rookie Kasparas Jakučionis and WNBA Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson in tow, Adebayo took the young people on a shopping spree, buying Jordans and clothing while taking pictures and chatting.
Later in the evening, he took a moment to speak with NBA.com about his charitable work and shared his thoughts on the season:
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
NBA.com: Why do you want to do this kind of thing? I understand you also gave out turkeys at Thanksgiving and have a foundation as well.
Bam Adebayo: I do it just because I care, one, but two, I didn’t have anybody when I was younger going through what I was going through with me. Being able to give back, and see the opportunity to impact lives and impact youth — they’re our future, so it’s important to fuel.
Did you do any Christmas shopping while you’re here in New York? Anything for you? Anything for A’ja [Wilson, his girlfriend]?
Nah, I got my Christmas shopping out of the way. New York is a little too hectic around this time. Around this time, it’s good to just see the Christmas lights, see the Christmas tree and celebrate the holiday spirit.
How do you feel about where the Heat are? Anything you think you need to do to get closer to the teams that went to the Finals?
We just need to string along wins, figure out how we can close out games, and I feel like we’ll be alright.
(Heat coach Erik Spoelstra) has you guys playing fast this year (104.7, first in the NBA). How does that change your game and preparation?
You’ve got to be in shape. That’s the biggest thing — you’ve got to be in shape, you’ve got to run. You’ve got to be able to think while you’re tired. There are going to be a few possessions where they don’t call fouls, and you’ve got to keep playing through it. You’ve got to figure out how to win.
Where do you find your motivation now, years into your career, as a veteran?
Just wanting to be better. Just wanting to be better for myself. You constantly want to improve, constantly want to be better, keep your foot on the gas and keep pushing.
Any aspects of your game you’re working on?
Got my 3-point attempts up. I got a lot more things to work on, but you’ll see them as the season goes on.
Any matchups you particularly enjoyed recently?
I enjoy competing on a night-to-night basis, so it’s not really a favorite, but just being able to be out there, being able to compete, that’s the most fun part about our game.
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Tod Monaghan, senior vice-president of partnerships with Covenant House, thanked Adebayo and the NBA for supporting the young people, some of whom had recently arrived in the United States from Africa, following in the footsteps of Adebayo’s parents, who hail from Nigeria.
“Thanks to the NBA — our largest corporate partner — we’re able to provide shelter, we’re able to provide food, we’re able to provide a high-quality of other services, like job training and mental health services,” said Monaghan. “Our young people are very, very excited to meet Bam Adebayo. He’s a world champion — an Olympic gold medalist — he’s an NBA superstar.”
The organization was founded in 1973, on West 41st Street in Manhattan, Monaghan said. The partnership with the NBA has spanned more than 15 years.
The New York City shelter, the group’s largest, provides shelter to more than 300 youths each night, he said. Each night, across the country and in Latin America, more than 2,400 kids call a Covenant House for a place to stay each night.
The gym at the Manhattan facility was named for the league and the National Basketball Players Association, he noted, while the relationship reverberates across the country, as the NBA helps Covenant House fund shelters across the country.
“It’s just a testament to the generosity of the league,” said Monaghan.
Those looking to help could donate new winter gear, money and slightly-used job interview attire to Covenant House, Monaghan said.
Information is available at covenanthouse.org and on Instagram at @covenant_house.
Shakur Anubeunwa, 20, from New Jersey, said he was excited to be there Saturday night, noting his friends would be jealous, and pick up some clothes and jerseys.
At Covenant House, he said he has been working towards employment, taking a week-long class to improve his resume and look for opportunities. He said he will start an internship at the organization in January, he said.
He said he had been homeless since June, bouncing back-and-forth from New Jersey, before finding a place to settle.
“(Stability helps with) having a good job, stable income, and having good people around you. Having a good mindset is also important because without peace of mind, you can’t have peace in general,” said Anubeunwa.
Faith Jamison, 18, said she was interested in seeing how the night would go. Originally from Mount Vernon, she said she had sought out the resources at Covenant House, seeking to get her license and become a security guard.
“My goal is to have a stable job and do whatever I can to be independent,” said Jamison Almamy Aguibou Diallo, 20, originally from Guinea. He said coming to the United States had provided safety in his life. He was thrilled to see Adebayo and said while he was in Africa, he had watched Adebayo play on TV.
“It’s going to be my first time seeing an NBA player (in person),” said Diallo.
Asked for his thoughts, Jakučionis noted the importance of giving back and being in community with people.
“I can see what Bam does for other people. Everybody knows him — it makes their days, and they will remember (it) for all their lives that Bam came here, said hi, took a photo,” said Jakučionis. “That’s what matters in life, and that’s what basketball is about, too — it’s way more than a game. It impacts society.”
