Before Being Drafted by the Thunder, Steven Adams Had 'No Expectations' of Making NBA

Oklahoma City's anchor in the middle had no expectations of making the NBA before he was selected in the lottery. 10 years later, he's still a key contributor to his team.

Steven Adams was the No. 12 pick in the NBA Draft back in 2013. Oklahoma City had needed a center for quite some time, as Kendrick Perkins was growing older and losing a step on both ends of the floor. It worked out well for both parties, as Adams was signed to a massive extension and the Thunder got a centerpiece for seven seasons.

The funny part about it, though, is Adams had no expectations of playing in the NBA. He bet on himself, and it turned out to be the best bet he could've made.

“I didn't have NBA dreams or anything like that,” Adams said. “I was just playing basketball, and then some dude offered me a scholarship. . .and I was like, ‘oh sweet this will be great.'”

I threw my name in the NBA Draft, averaged six and six, and went No. 12, it was cool.”

Adams played just one season at Pittsburgh, and was considered a raw NBA prospect with potential. During his season with the Panthers, the 7-footer averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game. The sample size was relatively small, and his minute count was low, but it was enough to catch the eye of several NBA teams.

In a 2013 redraft, knowing everything we know now, Adams likely goes in the top five. It was an unusually weak lottery class, with CJ McCollum being the best player taken. Just three picks past Adams, however, the Bucks struck gold with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Despite quiet numbers at Pittsburgh, Adams quickly carved out a role in Oklahoma City and ended up being a terrific selection in the late lottery. In seven seasons with the Thunder, the big man averaged 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He shot 58.9% from the floor and developed a lethan pick-and-roll with Russell Westbrook.

Since then, he started for the New Orleans Pelicans and is currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. He's turned into a locker room leader and a gritty veteran in the NBA.


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Ross Lovelace
ROSS LOVELACE

Ross is a 2023 Oklahoma University graduate who has formerly written for the OU Daily and Prep Hoops. He now works for the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee and covers OU sports for AllSooners.com. He has been covering the Thunder since the 2019-20 season.