Steven Adams is one of those NBA giants you could never miss.
However, the 6-foot-9 star, who dons thick long locks with a sleeve tattoo nowadays, was once a fresh-faced rookie without any ink.
You couldn’t miss Steven Adams with his current lookGettyAdams is enjoying another strong campaign in the NBA, the 31-year-old has made a habit of being an ever-reliable centre and is proving to be crucial in the Houston Rockets 2025 playoff run.
His recent Game 6 performance caught attention as he became the first player in NBA history to shoot 100 percent from the field, attempt 15 or more free throws, block three or more shots, and have zero turnovers between the regular season and playoffs.
The Rockets are Adams’ fourth NBA team with his journey in the league beginning in 2013 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Back when he was drafted as a 20-year-old, there was nothing unique about his features.
His short back and sides haircut and tattoo-less body, put him in line with much of the young draftees looking to make an impression.
Adams was selected with the 12th pick by the Thunder, becoming just the second New Zealander to be selected in the NBA draft and the first to be picked in the first round
It was in 2016 that Adams began to establish himself as a crucial player for the Thunder and by then he had arm covered in tattoos along with a full beard and long hair, creating the distinct look we all know him by.
He signed a four-year, $100 million contract that year and later that season became just the third player to reach 3,000 career points and 350 blocks with the Thunder.
The 2019-20 season saw him average 10.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists and that would turn out to be his last campaign with the franchise.
He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, bringing to an end a career in Oklahoma that saw him play 530 games in seven seasons.
Adams’ time with the Pelicans would be short, spending just a season there, averaging 8.9 rebounds, 7.6 points and 1.9 assists in 58 games
Adams looks unrecognizable in photos from 2013GETTY Adams spent seven seasons at the ThunderGETTYHe would join the Memphis Grizzlies, spending three years there but only playing in two seasons after he underwent surgery on his PCL ahead of the 2023-24 season.
In February 2024, Adams was traded to the Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and three future second-round picks.
The Rockets were desperate for a veteran presence and after aggressively chasing Brook Lopez, it was Adams who was reeled in.
He wouldn’t make his first start until Jan 30, 2025, when he recorded a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists against the Grizzlies.
Now, Adams is proving key in Houston’s playoff push with opponent Draymond Green praising his impact.
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“He’s having a great impact—doing a great job on the offensive glass and defensively,” Green said post game of their Game 6 clash. “I just wish we could get a three-second call.”
The Golden State Warriors and Rockets play in their win-or-go-home Game 7 clash on Sunday.
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