The NBA is the premier basketball league to follow and attracts a huge audience in the US. This is easy to understand when the iconic teams that compete in the league or the star players who light it up are considered. The international reach of the NBA has steadily increased over the years, and it has become very popular in many countries outside of the USA.
New Zealand is a good example of this and the NBA in NZ has grown a lot in recent years. This is both in terms of Kiwis watching NBA games and keeping a close eye on the latest news from the league.
The overall growth of the NBA in New Zealand has also been helped by the emergence of elite-level local talents who have gone on to play in the league. Steven Adams is a name that instantly springs to mind – but is he the greatest NZ NBA player ever?
Steven Adams: an NBA Success Story
Steven Adams was born in Rotorua and plays as a center. He began his basketball career with the Wellington Saints in 2011 and stayed with them for one year. During this time, he helped the side win the NBL Championship and picked up the title of New Zealand NBL Rookie of the Year. During 15 games in this season for his team, Adams recorded stats of 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
His success in the NBL prompted a move to the US in 2012 to study and play college basketball for Pittsburgh. After impressing again, the player entered the 2013 NBA Draft and was selected as 12th pick overall by Oklahoma City Thunder. Adams soon established himself as a regular starting center for the Thunder.
His first season was especially good and saw him play 81 times, being selected for the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2014. 2017/18 was another standout year and saw him average almost 14 points per game.
Although he enjoyed seven great years in Oklahoma, Adams was traded to the Pelicans in 2020 and dealt to the Grizzlies in 2021. He currently plays for the Houston Rockets and is looking to get back in form after missing the 2023/24 season due to injury.
Is Steven Adams the Finest Kiwi NBA Player Ever?
When his achievements to date are taken into account, it’s clear that Steven Adams is a top talent and one of the best basketball players to come out of New Zealand. But is he the best ever?
Although it’s a close call, there is one Kiwi player who just about pips him to the title – Sean Marks. Playing as a power forward, Marks was a trailblazer for future stars like Adams and the first-ever Kiwi to play in the NBA. This happened when he was picked up in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Knicks before being traded to the Raptors on the same night.
Alongside his sheer physicality and height on the court, which allowed him to stay in the NBA for many years, Marks also stands out as an NBA winner. This occurred in 2005 when he was part of the Spurs side, which won the championship that year.
In addition, he was assistant coach at the Spurs when they won the title again in 2014. This level of success plus his longevity and status as the first ever Kiwi NBA player gives Marks the edge.
Can Adams go on to match Marks?
It’s important to note that Steven Adams is not done with his NBA career yet and might still be part of a championship-winning side himself. Although he might not play at the top level for much longer, an improving Rockets side might surprise everyone in the coming campaign and see him take home a winner’s ring.
On the other hand, he might be on the move again soon and land at a side that goes on to title glory or is remembered as one of the greatest ever NBA sides. If Adams can win an NBA Championship himself and put in some impressive stats and performances along the way, he would start to run Marks a little closer as the best Kiwi NBA player ever.
Finest NBA Player from NZ
Making a firm decision on the best NBA player ever from New Zealand is always tricky, as it comes down to personal opinion. Although Steven Adams is certainly in contention for this accolade, the achievements of Sean Marks just about beat him. This may all change in the future, though, and see Adams – or a new star from New Zealand – take the crown.
