Steven Adams

Steven Adams is a center for the Houston Rockets.

The son of a Tongan mother and an English father, Adams was born in Rotorua, New Zealand. He is the youngest of 17 siblings and comes from an athletic family with two of his siblings being Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists.

Adams began playing basketball at a young age and quickly established himself as a top prospect. He played for various teams in New Zealand before being recruited by the University of Pittsburgh. After one season with the Panthers, Adams declared for the NBA Draft and was selected 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2013.

Known for his tough defense, rebounding, and physical presence on the court, Adams played for the Thunder for seven seasons, helping the team reach the NBA Finals in 2012 and earning a reputation as one of the best defensive centers in the league.

Off the court, Adams is known for his laid-back personality and sense of humor. He is also involved in various charitable endeavors, including Sports Pathways Trust, a New Zealand charity that aims to help young people go on to further their education and their basketball, creating their own legacies. He is also the author of My Life, My Fight: Rising Up from New Zealand to the OKC Thunder, which was published in 2018 and details his humble upbringing as one of 14 children, the impact of his father’s death due to stomach cancer when he was just 13, the multiple challenges and setbacks he has faced, and what basketball means to him.

Adams’ dedication to basketball and his contributions to his community have made him a beloved figure in New Zealand and among NBA fans around the world.