Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

When Andrew Bynum established deep position, there were very few centers strong enough to move him, forcing defenses into difficult decisions before the entry pass had even arrived. Soft touch over either shoulder, patient footwork on the block, and imposing rim protection made him one of the league’s most naturally gifted interior big men during his peak years.

Here’s detailed information about Andrew Bynum:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Andrew Lee Bynum
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 27, 1987
  • Hometown: Plainsboro Township, New Jersey, USA
  • Height: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m)
  • Weight: 285 pounds (129 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m)
  • Shoe Size: 18 (US)
  • Number: 17, 21, 1
  • Position: Center
  • High School: St. Joseph High School (Metuchen, New Jersey)
  • College: Did not attend college (entered NBA directly from high school)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2012)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2012–2013, did not play due to injury)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–2014)
    • Indiana Pacers (2014)
  • Championship Rings: 2 (with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010)
  • Kids: Not publicly disclosed
  • Siblings: One older brother, Corey Thomas Bynum

Player Archetype / Play Style

Andrew Bynum’s player archetype was that of a classic low-post center, a true interior big whose game revolved around size, touch, rebounding, and rim protection. At his best, his defensive role was anchored in the paint, where his length and sheer mass let him contest shots, control space around the basket, and hold up against opposing centers, while offensively he functioned as a back-to-the-basket scorer, interior finisher, and offensive rebounder rather than a face-up creator or perimeter threat. Physically, Bynum stood out as a massive seven-footer with a long wingspan, soft hands, and enough coordination to turn raw size into real post offense, which is why evaluations of him consistently emphasized his low-block scoring, soft touch near the rim, and value as a traditional interior anchor. His overall play style was power-based but skilled for his size: deep seals, patient post work, paint finishing, glass work, and defensive presence close to the hoop. (Bleacher Report)

Scouting Report

Andrew Bynum always looked most comfortable when the possession slowed down and became a battle for deep position because very few centres moved defenders once they established a seal the way he could. The first thing you notice is how patient he was with his back to the basket. He rarely rushed into the first move, preferring to feel where the defender leaned before spinning baseline, stepping through the middle or simply shooting over either shoulder with soft touch that didn’t require much separation. Teams had to bring early nail help or send a second defender from the baseline, and that often opened simple kick-outs rather than spectacular assists because Bynum generally made the obvious pass once the defence committed. He also thrived as the screener in pick-and-rolls, creating enormous driving lanes with wide, solid contact before rolling hard enough to collapse the low man, and he finished through traffic instead of avoiding it. Defensively, his size altered the geometry of the paint more than his mobility did. He was effective sitting in drop coverage, using length and verticality to discourage finishes around the rim, but offences that pulled him into repeated empty-side actions or forced multiple changes of direction could expose heavy feet, especially against lineups built around pace and spacing. It’s easy to overlook how many possessions he ended simply by owning the defensive glass; opponents often got one shot because once he secured position there wasn’t much chance of moving him. The trade-off was that his influence diminished the farther he had to defend from the basket, making aggressive switching or extended pressure a difficult fit. His ideal environment paired him with dynamic perimeter creators who could force rotations before feeding him inside or involving him in high pick-and-rolls, while surrounding him with rangy defenders capable of covering extra ground on the perimeter. To me, his offensive style shared obvious similarities with Al Jefferson’s polished low-post craft, while his interior presence and physical control around the rim also echoed a more traditional version of Brook Lopez when the offence flowed through the block rather than the three-point line.

Fun Facts

  • Andrew Bynum was an imposing center known for his size, rebounding, shot-blocking, and offensive skills in the post.
  • A key part of the Lakers’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, he was also named an NBA All-Star in 2012.
  • Unfortunately, recurring injuries and questions about his dedication to basketball prematurely ended his career at the age of 26.
  • Despite a relatively short career, Bynum remains one of the most skilled big men of his generation.

Sources:

Bleacher Report — LA Lakers: Why Andrew Bynum Is the NBA’s Most Important Player
Forum Blue & Gold — Andrew Bynum vs Future Hall of Famer
NBA.com — ANDREW BYNUM: Building on the Legacy