Andrew Bynum Bio, Age, Height, Career, Lakers Championships, Net Worth, Bowling Injury, Controversies & Facts

Andrew Bynum was once the most promising young big man in the NBA—a 7-foot center drafted straight out of high school who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back championships and earned All-Star honors before his 25th birthday. Yet his career became one of the most cautionary tales in modern basketball history, undone by chronic knee injuries, questionable decisions, and a maturity level that never quite matched his immense physical gifts. By age 26, he was out of the league entirely, leaving behind a legacy of what could have been.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Andrew Bynum was born on October 27, 1987, in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. His parents, Ernest Bynum and Janet McCoy, divorced when he was just one year old, and he was raised primarily by his mother. He has an older brother, Corey Bynum. During summers, he would visit his father in North Carolina. Bynum attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he established himself as one of the most dominant prep centers in the country. He originally committed to play college basketball at the University of Connecticut but ultimately declared for the 2005 NBA Draft directly out of high school. At just 17 years old, he was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the youngest player ever drafted in NBA history at that time.

Career Journey

Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2012)

Bynum made his NBA debut just six days after his 18th birthday, making him the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game. His early years were developmental, but he showed flashes of dominance. In 2008, he suffered a partially dislocated left kneecap that cost him the postseason, including the NBA Finals loss to Boston. He returned to help the Lakers win back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, though he played through significant knee pain and wore bulky braces during both playoff runs.

The 2011–12 season was Bynum’s peak. He made his first and only All-Star team, was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and posted career highs across the board: 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. On April 11, 2012, he grabbed 30 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs, becoming only the fifth Laker in franchise history to do so. In the playoffs, he recorded a triple-double with 10 blocks in Game 1 against Denver, tying the NBA playoff record. He finished the season tied with Russell Westbrook for 10th in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) at 23.00.

However, his behavior began raising red flags. He was benched for shooting a three-pointer against Golden State in March 2012, openly defied coach Mike Brown, skipped team huddles claiming he was “getting my Zen on,” and was fined by the Lakers for missing a meeting with GM Mitch Kupchak. In the 2011 playoffs, he was ejected and suspended for a flagrant foul on J.J. Barea during a sweep by Dallas, then fined $25,000 for removing his jersey while leaving the court.

Philadelphia 76ers (2012–2013): The Bowling Disaster

In August 2012, Bynum was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the blockbuster four-team deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers. The Sixers bet their franchise on him—and lost everything. Bynum underwent Orthokine therapy in Germany and received lubricating injections, but complications mounted. Then came the infamous moment: in November 2012, Bynum revealed he had suffered a “setback” to his left knee while bowling. He admitted to ESPN, “In hindsight, I guess you shouldn’t be bowling,” but noted bowling was not prohibited in his NBA contract. The injury worsened his already degenerative knee condition. He never played a single game for Philadelphia. In March 2013, he underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on both knees, and the Sixers’ championship hopes evaporated.

Cleveland Cavaliers & Indiana Pacers (2013–2014)

Bynum signed a two-year, $24.5 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2013, though only $6 million was guaranteed. He played 24 games, averaging a diminished 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, before the Cavaliers suspended him indefinitely in late December for “conduct detrimental to the team.” The suspension was later converted to paid leave, but he was barred from all team activities. In January 2014, Cleveland traded him to Chicago for Luol Deng; the Bulls immediately waived him. He finished his career with a brief two-game stint with the Indiana Pacers in early 2014 before knee swelling sidelined him indefinitely. His final NBA game came at age 26.

Career Stats & Milestones

NBA Career Statistics

Personal Life

Family Background

Bynum was raised by his mother, Janet McCoy, after his parents divorced when he was an infant. He has an older brother, Corey Bynum. Little else is publicly known about his family or personal relationships, as Bynum has maintained an extremely low profile since leaving the NBA.

Lifestyle & Interests

Bynum was famously eccentric during his playing days. He changed his hairstyle seven times in a single season, sporting looks ranging from an Afro to cornrows to a pompadour. While sidelined with the Pacers, he even went for a haircut during halftime. He has expressed interest in cars and technology, though specific post-retirement pursuits remain largely private. Since retiring, he has kept almost entirely out of the public eye and did not participate in the Lakers’ Legacy documentary series on Hulu.

Controversies

Attitude and Maturity Issues

Bynum’s behavior during his final Lakers seasons became a major concern. He refused to train with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on post moves, openly defied coaches, and displayed a lack of professionalism that frustrated teammates and management. The Lakers fined him an undisclosed amount in April 2012 for multiple infractions, including missing meetings. His infamous quote—“Close-out games are actually kind of easy”—after the Lakers went up 3-1 on Denver in the 2012 playoffs epitomized his perceived arrogance.

The J.J. Barea Incident

In the 2011 playoffs, during a Game 4 sweep by the Dallas Mavericks, Bynum delivered a blindside forearm shiver to J.J. Barea as the guard drove to the basket. The flagrant foul was widely condemned as one of the dirtiest plays in recent playoff history. Bynum was ejected, suspended for five games the following season, and fined $25,000. He compounded the incident by ripping off his jersey while walking off the court.

The Bowling Injury

The bowling incident remains the defining symbol of Bynum’s downfall. Acquired by Philadelphia as the centerpiece of a franchise-altering trade, he never suited up for the Sixers because he injured his knee while bowling during rehabilitation. The episode became a punchline and a cautionary tale about risk management, though Bynum himself noted that bowling was not a prohibited activity in standard NBA contracts.

Cleveland Cavaliers Suspension

In December 2013, the Cavaliers suspended Bynum for “conduct detrimental to the team”—a vague but serious designation. Reports suggested he was disruptive in practice and had effectively checked out mentally. The suspension paved the way for his trade to Chicago and eventual release.

Awards & Achievements

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“In hindsight, I guess you shouldn’t be bowling.” — On his infamous knee injury, 2012

“Close-out games are actually kind of easy.” — After Lakers went up 3-1 on Denver, 2012 playoffs

“I don’t take part in huddles. I’m resting. Getting my Zen on.” — On skipping team huddles, 2012

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

As of 2026, Andrew Bynum’s estimated net worth ranges from $30 million to $45 million, with some sources suggesting as high as $60–70 million. His career NBA earnings totaled at least $70.1 million through 2026, according to Spotrac, while Basketball-Reference lists $72.9 million. His largest single-season salary was $16.1 million with the Lakers in 2012–13. Despite his early retirement, Bynum’s eight-year career was highly lucrative.

Interesting Facts

• Bynum was the last high school player drafted in the first round before the NBA implemented its age restriction rule (one-and-done).
• He is one of only five Lakers to record 30 rebounds in a single game, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, and George Mikan.
• His 10-block triple-double in the 2012 playoffs tied the NBA postseason record shared by Hakeem Olajuwon and Mark Eaton.
• He reportedly refused to train with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest centers ever, on post moves.
• He changed his hairstyle seven times in one season.
• He was suspended for five games for the J.J. Barea foul—the longest suspension for a flagrant foul in playoff history at that time.
• He has been completely out of the public eye since 2014 and did not appear in the Lakers’ Legacy documentary.
• At 26 years old, he had already been retired from the NBA for over a decade by 2026.

Did You Know?

• The four-team trade that sent Bynum to Philadelphia and Dwight Howard to Los Angeles is considered one of the worst trades in 76ers history, as Bynum never played a game for them.
• Bynum’s bowling injury became so infamous that it is often cited in discussions about NBA contract clauses and player risk management.
• Despite his early exit, Bynum earned more in eight NBA seasons than most players earn in entire careers.

Social Media Links

Andrew Bynum does not maintain verified public social media accounts. He has remained entirely private since his retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Andrew Bynum in 2026?
Andrew Bynum was born on October 27, 1987, making him 38 years old in 2026.

What is Andrew Bynum’s net worth?
As of 2026, his estimated net worth ranges from $30 million to $70 million, depending on the source. He earned over $70 million in NBA salary alone.

Why did Andrew Bynum retire so early?
Bynum’s career ended due to a combination of chronic knee injuries—including a dislocated kneecap, torn MCL, and degenerative arthritis—and maturity issues. His infamous bowling injury while with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012 prevented him from ever playing for the team, and subsequent stints with Cleveland and Indiana were brief and unsuccessful.

How many championships does Andrew Bynum have?
Andrew Bynum won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

Was Andrew Bynum an All-Star?
Yes. Bynum was named an NBA All-Star in 2012 and was also selected to the All-NBA Second Team that same year—his only All-Star and All-NBA selections.

What happened with Andrew Bynum and bowling?
In November 2012, while rehabilitating with the Philadelphia 76ers, Bynum suffered a knee setback that he suspected occurred while bowling. The injury worsened his already compromised knees, and he never played a game for the Sixers.

Is Andrew Bynum in the Hall of Fame?
No. Despite his early promise and two championships, Bynum’s abbreviated career and lack of sustained dominance make him an unlikely Hall of Fame candidate.

What is Andrew Bynum doing now?
As of 2026, Andrew Bynum has maintained an extremely low profile since his 2014 retirement. He has not pursued coaching, broadcasting, or public basketball-related activities and has stayed entirely out of the media spotlight.

Conclusion

Andrew Bynum’s story is one of the most fascinating “what-ifs” in NBA history. For a brief window in 2012, he looked like the best center in basketball—a dominant force who could score, rebound, and protect the rim at an elite level. But chronic knee injuries, the infamous bowling incident, and a pattern of immature behavior cut his career short before he turned 27. Two championship rings, one All-Star appearance, and over $70 million in earnings represent a career most players would envy, yet for Bynum, they feel like the floor of what should have been a Hall of Fame ceiling.

If you found this biography informative, share it with basketball fans who remember the brief but brilliant peak of one of the NBA’s most enigmatic big men!