Steven Funaki Adams is a professional basketball player from New Zealand. He currently plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He began his career with the Wellington Saints in 2011 before moving to the United States to play college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh in 2012.
July 1993: Birth of Steven Adams
Steven Funaki Adams was born in July 1993.
1999: First Pittsburgh Player Drafted in First Round Since 1999
Steven Adams' selection in the 2013 NBA draft marked the first time a player from the University of Pittsburgh was drafted in the first round since Vonteego Cummings in 1999.
December 2011: Adams Graduates from Scots College
Steven Adams graduated from Scots College in December 2011 after being guided by Blossom Cameron and Kenny McFadden.
2011: Adams Joins the Wellington Saints
Steven Adams began his professional basketball career with the Wellington Saints of the National Basketball League in 2011.
2011: Adams Named New Zealand NBL Rookie of the Year
Steven Adams was recognized for his outstanding debut season in the New Zealand NBL in 2011, receiving the Rookie of the Year award.
June 2012: Adams Enrolls at Pittsburgh
Steven Adams enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in June 2012 to play college basketball.
2012: Adams Moves to the United States for College Basketball
In 2012, Steven Adams moved to the United States to pursue college basketball, joining the University of Pittsburgh.
2012: Adams' Accolades at Pittsburgh
In 2012, during his sole season at the University of Pittsburgh, Steven Adams showcased his basketball prowess, earning recognition as the Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year and securing a spot on the Big East All-Rookie Team.
2012: Adams Reflects on His Father's Death
In a 2012 interview, Steven Adams opened up about the impact of his father's death from stomach cancer, describing it as a turning point in his life.
April 2013: Adams Declares for the NBA Draft
Steven Adams declared for the NBA draft on April 2, 2013, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
July 2013: Adams Signs with the Thunder
Steven Adams signed his rookie contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 12, 2013.
October 2013: Adams Makes NBA Debut
Steven Adams made his NBA debut on October 30, 2013, against the Utah Jazz.
November 2014: Adams Sets Career-High in Blocks
Steven Adams recorded a career-high six blocks in a game against the Houston Rockets on November 16, 2014.
December 2014: Adams Achieves Season-High Points and Rebounds
On December 25, 2014, Steven Adams had a standout performance against the San Antonio Spurs, recording a season-high 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
January 2015: Adams Grabs Career-High Rebounds
Steven Adams set a new career-high in rebounds on January 21, 2015, grabbing 20 rebounds in a game against the Washington Wizards.
January 2016: Adams Ties Career-High Points
Steven Adams tied his career-high points on January 10, 2016, scoring 17 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
April 2016: Adams Matches Career-High Points Again
Steven Adams matched his career-high of 17 points once more on April 12, 2016, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
October 2016: Adams Signs Contract Extension with Thunder
Steven Adams secured a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 31, 2016.
November 2016: Adams Sets New Career-High Points
Steven Adams achieved a new career-high in points on November 22, 2016, scoring 20 points in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
December 2016: Adams Surpasses Career-High Points Again
Steven Adams continued to elevate his scoring, surpassing his previous career-high with 24 points in a game against the Houston Rockets on December 9, 2016.
December 2017: Adams Scores Career-High 27 Points with Perfect Shooting
Steven Adams delivered an exceptional performance on December 1, 2017, scoring a career-high 27 points with perfect shooting from the field and free throw line against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
February 2018: Adams Reaches 3,000 Career Points
Steven Adams reached the 3,000-point milestone in his NBA career on February 2, 2018, during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
November 2018: Adams Scores 26 Points against the Suns
Steven Adams had a strong offensive performance on November 17, 2018, scoring 26 points in a win against the Phoenix Suns.
December 2018: Sportsmanship
Adams demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship in December 2018 during a game against the Denver Nuggets by catching his opponent, Mason Plumlee, who had fallen after a play, potentially preventing a serious injury, a gesture that earned him widespread praise.
2018: Autobiography Release
"Steven Adams: My Life, My Fight", Adams' autobiography co-written with journalist Madeleine Chapman, was released in 2018.
2018: Gaming Interests
Starting in 2018, Steven Adams shared his enthusiasm for video games, particularly Dota 2, Smite, Fortnite, and online chess, with his followers on social media.
March 2019: Adams Records 22 Rebounds against the Grizzlies
On March 3, 2019, Steven Adams delivered a dominant rebounding performance, grabbing 22 rebounds in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
November 2020: Trade to the New Orleans Pelicans
In November 2020, Steven Adams was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans and signed a two-year contract extension.
November 2020: Adams Traded to the New Orleans Pelicans
After seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Steven Adams was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in November 2020.
2020: Continues Gaming Interests
Steven Adams continued to share his gaming wins until 2020.
January 2021: Notable Games with the Pelicans
In January 2021, during his time with the Pelicans, Adams had a season-high 20 rebounds in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
August 2021: Adams Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies
In August 2021, Steven Adams was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Memphis Grizzlies.
August 2021: Trade to the Memphis Grizzlies
Steven Adams was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021.
February 2022: Season High in Rebounds
Adams achieved a season-high of 21 rebounds in a game against the Chicago Bulls in February 2022 while playing for the Grizzlies.
October 2022: Contract Extension with the Grizzlies
Steven Adams signed a two-year contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies in October 2022.
2022: Documentary Appearance
In 2022, Adams was featured in the documentary "Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold," where he spoke about the childhood of his sister, Olympic shot putter Valerie Adams.
January 2023: Injury and Sidelining
In January 2023, Adams experienced a right knee injury during a game against the Phoenix Suns. The injury, diagnosed as a PCL sprain, sidelined him for several weeks, and ultimately led to him missing the rest of the season, including the playoffs.
2023: Missed Season Due to Injury
Adams missed the entire 2023–24 NBA season due to undergoing surgery and rehabilitation for his PCL injury.
February 2024: Trade to the Houston Rockets
In February 2024, Adams was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three future second-round draft picks.