Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Aron John Baynes is an Australian professional basketball player known for his robust presence as a center/power forward in both international and domestic leagues.

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Aron John Baynes
  • Nickname: Baynesy
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Date of Birth: December 9, 1986
  • Hometown: Cairns, Queensland, Australia
  • Height: 6-foot-10
  • Weight: 260 pounds
  • Wingspan: No reliable source.
  • Shoe Size: No reliable source.
  • Jersey Number (college and NBA, and list teams next to the number): #11 (Washington State), #16 (San Antonio Spurs), #12 (Detroit Pistons), #46 (Boston Celtics), #46 (Phoenix Suns), #46 (Toronto Raptors)
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: Mareeba State High School; Cairns State High School
  • College: Washington State University
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2009
  • Teams Played For
    • Lietuvos Rytas — 2009–2010
    • EWE Baskets Oldenburg — 2010–2011
    • Ikaros Kallitheas — 2011–2012
    • Union Olimpija — 2012–2013
    • San Antonio Spurs — 2013–2015
    • Austin Toros — 2013
    • Detroit Pistons — 2015–2017
    • Boston Celtics — 2017–2019
    • Phoenix Suns — 2019–2020
    • Toronto Raptors — 2020–2021
    • Brisbane Bullets — 2022–2024
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA championship ring
  • Parents: Public sources confirm he was born to New Zealand parents.
  • Children: Public reporting confirms he has children; one son, Mason, is specifically named in ESPN reporting
  • Siblings: No reliable public source.
  • Athlete Relatives: Matthew Adekponya, a former professional basketball player, is his brother-in-law

Aron Baynes’ player archetype was that of a rugged interior big whose value came from screening, rebounding, paint defense, and doing the physical work that made lineups function. Defensively, he operated mainly as a strong interior presence rather than a mobile switch defender, using his size, balance, and willingness to absorb contact to protect space around the basket and battle true centers. Offensively, he was typically a low-usage finisher, screener, and connective frontcourt piece, though later in his career he developed enough three-point range to stretch defenses in a more modern role. Physically, Baynes stood out for his thick frame, strength, and bruising style, giving him a hard-nosed edge that translated well in playoff and international basketball. Overall, his play style was built on toughness, utility, and functional team play more than flair, with his best value coming from the way he created space, held position, and gave teams a dependable physical backbone. (NBA)

Sources:

Washington State Cougars — Aron Baynes Profile
NBA.com — Aron Baynes
Basketball Australia — Thank you, Aron
Basketball.com.au — Aussies in NBA history: Aron Baynes
Sportsnet — Why Aron Baynes chose to wear No. 46 while playing for Celtics