If you don’t know who Steven Adams is, you will soon.
Adams, who stands at 6-foot-10, is a New Zealand native and the prize recruit for Pittsburgh and head coach Jamie Dixon. The incoming freshman surfaces for the Panthers, where Adams is surely expected to have a large and instant impact.
ESPN listed Adams as the No. 6 prospect within the class of 2012 during their final rankings. In addition, NBADraft.net even lists the big man as a potential top-10 NBA selection in their 2013.
While Adams’ success on the basketball court will come in time, his family is already celebrating.
Steven’s sister, Valerie, earned a silver medal for New Zealand in the women’s shot put at the 2012 London Olympics, yet after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified gold medal-winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk of Belarus for a positive test of metenolone, an updated standing was necessary.
Valerie was handed gold, as New Zealand finished 15th overall in the medal count. Prior to the IOC’s ruling, it had been the first time in nearly two years that Ostapchuk had defeated Adams in the shot put competition, although that stretch will continue to stand due to the disqualification.
While the news presents a proud moment for (Valerie) Adams and her country, many more exciting times should be expected from Steven given his future and potential on the basketball court.
Adams is skilled and dominate enough to quickly emerge down low for Dixon and the Panthers. His overall skill set could immediately land him among the top front court players in the Big East, once the 2012-13 season begins.
Pittsburgh is looking to recover from a disappointing 22-17 season in 2011-12. The Panthers did defeat Washington State however, to capture the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) late in March.
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