Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum
Keith Allison · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Andrew Bynum
Position	Center
Weight lb	285
Birth date	27 October 1987
Birth place	Plainfield, New Jersey
College	St. Joseph High School
Draft year	2005
Draft pick	10
Draft team	Los Angeles Lakers
Career start	2005
Career end	2014

Andrew Bynum Andrew Bynum is a former professional basketball center who played primarily for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association from 2005 to 2014. He was the tenth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft and won two NBA championships with the Lakers alongside teammates such as Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Known for his size and low-post scoring, he also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring amid injuries and controversies.

Early life and high school

Bynum was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and raised in the North Plainfield area, attending St. Joseph High School where he played for a program that produced prospects who faced scouts from the NBA Draft and college programs like Kentucky and Duke. During high school he competed in tournaments against players from Oak Hill Academy and Findlay Prep and drew comparisons to centers such as Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard, and Yao Ming. His performances at events like the Nike Camp and ABCA/USA Basketball showcases put him on the radar of NBA scouts and executives from franchises including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Chicago Bulls.

College and NBA draft

Bynum did not attend a traditional NCAA program, instead declaring for the 2005 NBA draft directly from high school, joining a cohort of prep-to-pro players that included LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire from earlier classes and contemporaries like Deron Williams. The decision echoed paths taken by veterans such as Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant in evaluating draft eligibility and drew attention from agents and front offices including the New Jersey Nets and Portland Trail Blazers. Selected tenth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, he entered a roster built around stars like Kobe Bryant and veterans such as Lamar Odom and was managed by coach Phil Jackson.

Professional career

Bynum made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers and spent the early part of his career developing behind centers like Kwame Brown and under coaching staffs featuring Frank Hamblen and later Phil Jackson. He became a starting center during the late-2000s Lakers title runs, contributing to championships in 2009 and 2010 alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, and role players like Ron Artest (also known as Metta World Peace). His tenure included matchups against centers such as Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, and Amar'e Stoudemire and playoff series versus the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Phoenix Suns.

In 2012 Bynum was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a multi-team deal that involved the Denver Nuggets and the Cleveland Cavaliers; his time in Philadelphia was marked by injuries and a suspension, and he was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he played alongside Kyrie Irving and under coach Byron Scott. He briefly signed with the Indiana Pacers in 2014 but did not appear in regular-season play due to knee problems, a history that echoed medical setbacks faced by centers like Bill Walton and Yao Ming and contributed to his early exit from the league.

National team and international play

Although eligible for selection to USA Basketball senior national teams during his career, Bynum was not a regular member of squads that competed in events like the FIBA World Championship or the Olympic Games. He participated in youth and preparatory camps that interfaced with programs run by organizations such as USA Basketball and attended training activities associated with national team scouting, which also scouted players from international competitions like the FIBA Americas Championship and the EuroBasket tournaments.

Playing style and career statistics

A seven-foot center, Bynum combined interior scoring, offensive rebounding, and rim protection, drawing stylistic comparisons to centers including Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard, and Patrick Ewing. Offensively he relied on post moves, drop-step footwork, and dunks, while defensively he contested shots and altered opponents' approaches in the paint. His per-game statistics peaked during the 2011–12 season with averages comparable to starting centers such as DeMarcus Cousins and Marc Gasol in certain metrics, reflecting solid field goal percentages and rebounding rates; his turnovers and free-throw shooting were areas of criticism, a pattern seen in big men like Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Andrew Bogut at times.

Personal life and post-retirement activities

After leaving the NBA, Bynum's post-retirement life included private business interests and community involvement similar to former players who transitioned into entrepreneurship and philanthropy, intersecting with organizations like local charities in Los Angeles and New Jersey. His career prompted discussions in media outlets such as ESPN, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and The Los Angeles Times about athlete health, contract negotiations, and the impact of injuries on professional trajectories. He has maintained a lower public profile compared with contemporaries like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and occasional public appearances have connected him with alumni events for the Los Angeles Lakers and charity games featuring former NBA players.

Category:1987 births Category:American basketball players Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:National Basketball Association centers