Steven Adams is undoubtedly one of our nation’s prides, and while he currently plays in the NBA for the Houston Rockets, there’s a great story behind how he got there.
NBA Australia have told it through the new YouTube documentary ‘Steven Adams Represent’.
The 22-minute video shows Adams’ journey from his hometown of Rotorua to Wellington, all the way through to his move to the United States and ultimately getting drafted into the NBA - all narrated by him.
“From humble beginnings in Rotorua, New Zealand, to becoming one of the toughest big men in the NBA, Steven Adams’ journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and pride in his roots,” the YouTube description reads.
“💪🏽🏀 Watch as Adams reflects on his journey, his impact on the game, and what it truly means to represent.”
He talks about how "basketball was not even on the books" and that he thought he was gonna be a dairy farmer.
Beyond his growth as a player, Adams talks about his evolution as a person proudly representing his culture on a world stage.
When he first entered the NBA, he made sure to be clean-shaven and fresh-faced. But over the years, he’s been able to embrace and showcase his Tongan/Māori roots.
From his long hair to his tā moko representing both cultures, Adams has been able to carry and represent his heritage with him every time he steps on the court.
“Clean-shaven, you gotta secure the job, you know. Then you hang around a bit, get comfortable, and bring your culture out. So I started building up my tattoos,” Adams says.
“Especially on the international stage, I thought it’s pretty important. Once you’ve got these sorts of tattoos, you kind of have to hold yourself at a certain standard because now you’re representing your family,” he added.
Adams is the youngest of 18 siblings and found his way to hoops through his older brother Warren.
After refining his game at Scots College in Wellington, he made the leap to the US and played a season at the University of Pittsburgh.
In 2013, he declared for the NBA Draft and was selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He became the second New Zealander to be selected in the NBA Draft and the first New Zealander to be selected in the first round.
Adams quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse and elite rebounder.
Over the years, he’s become one of the most respected big men in the league, known for his toughness, high IQ, and team-first mentality, and always repping Aotearoa every step of the way.
