Steven Adams: The First New Zealander in the NBA
Steven Funaki Paea He Ofa Ki Loa Adams is New Zealand’s most famous basketball player and one of only three New Zealanders to ever play in the NBA. The tall center was born on July 20, 1993, and has had an amazing career in the world’s best basketball league for more than ten years.
The Beginning of Life and the Road to the NBA
In 2011, Steven Adams started his path to NBA stardom by playing for the Wellington Saints in New Zealand. American scouts quickly noticed his great skills and physical presence, which led to his move to the US in 2012 to play college basketball for the University of Pittsburgh. After only one season of showing off his skills in college, Adams said he was ready for the NBA draft.
Early on, the Oklahoma City Thunder saw Adams’s potential and chose him with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. This choice was the start of a successful professional career and made him a pioneer for New Zealand basketball.
The Years in Oklahoma City
Adams played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2013 to 2020, where he was the team’s main starting center for six seasons in a row. While he was in Oklahoma City, he became one of the league’s most dependable big men, known for his physical presence, rebounding skills, and old-school center play. His work with stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook helped the Thunder become a team that always made the playoffs.
While he was in Oklahoma City, he got better and better, and both fans and opponents respected him more and more. Adams became well-known in the basketball world for his toughness, durability, and unique personality that made people like him.
The Memphis Grizzlies Chapter
Adams was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in November 2020, after spending seven years in Oklahoma City. He continued to show how valuable he was as a skilled center and veteran presence. His experience and leadership helped the young Grizzlies become a competitive team in the Western Conference.
Career Renaissance and the Houston Rockets
Adams was traded to the Houston Rockets on February 1, 2024, in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks in the future. But his move to Houston was difficult right away because of worries about his health.
He missed the whole 2023-24 NBA season because of a torn PCL, but he made his debut with the Rockets this season and has shown amazing strength in his recovery. Adams played his first game for the Rockets on October 28. He scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench in a 106–101 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
He has made a great recovery, and one of his best games was on January 5, 2025, when he scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds, made an assist, blocked a shot, and stole a ball in 17 minutes off the bench in a 119–115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Rockets are serious about Adams’ future because they agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with him. Adams really wanted to stay with the Rockets for a long time, and the front office in Houston felt the same way.
Style of Play and Effect
Adams has always been known for his traditional center skills, like protecting the rim, rebounding, and being a physical presence in the paint. He has always been one of the best rebounders and screen-setters in the league because he is tall and very strong. He is a valuable teammate and respected opponent because he can do the “dirty work” that doesn’t always show up in the stats.
Steven Adams has found a unique role with the Houston Rockets that goes beyond what a center usually does. His changing game shows that he is smart about basketball and can adapt, which has helped him stay relevant in the NBA, which is getting faster and faster.
Adams’ impact goes beyond what he does on the court. Through a number of projects, he has helped to grow basketball in New Zealand. The Sports Pathways Trust was set up to help student athletes find their way and give back to the game of basketball.
He is dedicated to his home country and has plans for basketball development infrastructure. For example, there are reports that a private training facility with “toughened glass for possible ball impact” is being built in New Zealand.
Adams has also written an autobiography called “My Life, My Fight,” which tells the amazing story of how he went from New Zealand to NBA stardom. Many young athletes in New Zealand and the Pacific look up to his story as an example.
Problems with an international career
Adams has had a hard time with the New Zealand national team, the Tall Blacks, even though he has done well in the NBA. This is because of things like timing, injuries, and scheduling conflicts. Steven Adams won’t be playing for the Tall Blacks again, as he wasn’t chosen for the New Zealand squad for the upcoming Fiba World Cup. New Zealand basketball fans are disappointed that their biggest star hasn’t been able to play for the country on the international stage.
The legacy and cultural impact
Steven Adams is more than just an NBA player; he is a symbol of hope, inspiration, and possibility for thousands of young New Zealanders who want to play basketball. His success has helped other Pacific Islander athletes and made New Zealand basketball more well-known around the world.
Adams is a fan favorite wherever he plays because he is humble and has a dry sense of humor. He is one of the most likable players in the league because he is honest and treats both his teammates and his opponents with respect.
Steven Adams Net Worth
Steven Adams’ net worth in 2025 is estimated to be between $20 million and $94 million, with most sources citing around $30 million to $35 million. His wealth primarily comes from his NBA career, where he has earned approximately $170 million to $210 million in salary through contracts with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets. His current contract with the Rockets, a three-year, $39 million extension signed in 2025, pays him an average of $13 million annually.
Adams also earns about $3 million from endorsements with brands like Adidas, New Balance, Powerade, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Additionally, he has investments in real estate, including a $6.1 million NZD property in Wellington, and ventures like a 1.44% stake in Ārepa, a New Zealand-based “brain drink” company.
Looking Ahead
Adams is still playing for the Houston Rockets, and he is a symbol of the strength and determination that have gotten him from New Zealand to NBA stardom. He is 31 years old and just signed a new contract, which means he should be able to keep helping the Rockets grow while also solidifying his place as New Zealand’s best basketball player.
His story is still one of the most inspiring in modern basketball. It shows that talent, hard work, and determination can help you succeed at the highest level of professional basketball, even when there aren’t many basketball courts or other resources in your area.
Steven Adams has not only done well for himself, but he has also opened doors for future generations of New Zealand and Pacific Islander basketball players. He has changed the way basketball is played in the area forever and is now a true pioneer of the game.