Steven Adams

Steven Adams's Biography

Steven Funaki Paea He Ofa Ki Loa Adams, known as Steven Adams, was born on July 20th, 1993. His birthplace, Rotorua, is located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. His mixed heritage includes Tongan, from his mother’s side, and English, from his father’s side. Steven’s father, Sid Adams, was a native of Bristol, England, and a reconnaissance officer in the Royal Navy. Sid settled in New Zealand after his service and had 18 children with five women.

Interestingly, his children inherited his towering height: his sons averagely stand at 6 feet 9 inches tall and his daughters at 6 feet. Among these siblings, two of his sisters have become star athletes. Dame Valerie Adams, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and four-time world champion shot-putter, and Lisa Adams, a Paralympics gold medallist in shot-put. Steven’s brothers, Sid Jr. and Warren, played in the New Zealand National Basketball League, and his sister, Gabriella Adams-Gavet, played for the New Zealand national team.

A significant turning point in his life occurred when Sid Adams passed away from stomach cancer when Steven was just 13. The loss of his father hit him hard, and he admitted to often skipping school during this period, a truth he hid from his siblings.

Life took a positive turn for Steven when a woman named Blossom Cameron took him under her wing. Blossom brought Steven to Wellington, introduced him to basketball legend, Kenny McFadden, and enrolled him in Scots College. Under McFadden’s tutelage, Steven excelled in basketball but was required to attend school regularly to continue in the academy. Despite pressures to turn professional after high school, Steven graduated from Scots College in 2011, moved to the United States, and won an enrollment spot at Pittsburgh University.

In his lone year at Pittsburgh, Steve was lauded as the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year and won Big East All-Rookie Team honors. After averaging 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, he declared for the NBA draft in 2013.

Prior to entering the NBA, Steven played for the Wellington Saints of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2011. Even though he played unpaid to maintain his college eligibility, he assisted them in securing a championship and won the New Zealand NBL Rookie of the Year.

On June 27th, 2013, Steven was selected 12th overall in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the second New Zealander ever to be picked in the first round. For six consecutive seasons, Steven was the Thunder’s first-choice center. However, after seven years in Oklahoma City, Steven changed clubs after being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020 and later to the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021.

While with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Steven’s career blossomed, culminating in a four-year, $100 million contract extension in 2016. He set several personal records, like a career-high 27 points in one game and a career-high 23 rebounds in another. Steven continued to break personal records after being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020, leading to a two-year, $35 million contract extension. He was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021.

Besides his life on the court, Steven is known for his love of video games, with favorites such as Dota 2, Smite, and Chess, as he frequently shares his Fortnite and Chess wins on Instagram. In 2018, his autobiography titled Steven Adams: My Life, My Fight was published, offering a closer look at his life off the court.

Sadly, Steven suffered a right knee injury in January 2023, leading to a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) surgery which caused him to miss the rest of the 2023-2024 season. On August 1st, 2024, Steven was traded to the Houston Rockets, marking another significant phase in his professional basketball career.

Steven is deeply admired among his peers in the league for his sportsmanship, sense of humor, and humility. With every game, he continues to cast a long shadow, marking a trailblazing career as a professional basketball player.