Woj backs King Adams

Sydney Kings import Jaylen Adams has an interesting supporter in his corner: ESPN news-breaker Adrian Wojnarowski.

Adams and Wojnarowski are both graduates of St. Bonaventure University in New York and the NBA insider has followed Adams’ career closely over the years.

Speaking with NBL Media after practice on Thursday, Adams outlined his relationship with Wojnarowski and explained how the powerful media personality had backed his recent move Down Under.

“I talk to Woj about everything,” Adams said.

“I talked to him before I came down here. He's excited for it just like I am.”

Adams has joined the Kings after playing the first three years of his pro career in the NBA and the G-League. 

The 25-year-old most recently played with the NBA Championship winning Milwaukee Bucks on a two-way contract. He also played one standout season with the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League, and spent time with the Portland Trailblazers and the Atlanta Hawks.

The upcoming season will mark the first time Adams has played overseas and, as he prepared to fly to Australia, Woj offered his fellow Bonnies alum some words of motivation.
 
“He’s excited for me and he told me: ‘just attack this opportunity in the same way you attack everything else,’” the Kings guard explained.

Adams is expected to provide elite playmaking for Sydney this season as he steps into the role previously occupied by championship-winning point guard Casper Ware.

The Baltimore native has built a reputation as a dynamic operator out of pick-and-rolls. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game across the 2019-20 G League season, earned All-League honours and finishing second in MVP voting.

Working off big men like Jarell Martin, Jordan Hunter and Makur Maker – and with shooters like RJ Hunter and Dejan Vasiljevic on the wings – Adams is going to be a sizeable problem for NBL defences this season.

“I can shoot the ball so that’s always the first option for me,” Adams said. 

“But if I'm not making shots or it's just not available then I pride myself on being able to get my teammate an easy shot; getting into the lane to create some movement and just keeping the defence on their toes.”

He also, just quietly, is on something of a hot streak on NBA 2K and has thrown out the challenge for anyone who wants to challenge him.

“I haven't lost a game on 2K for… I'm going on like a year and a half,” Adams laughs.

“Online, side-by-side, whatever… it's been about a year and a half.”

So if anyone wants to take on the King?

“They best not miss!”