Highly-touted Kiwi and probable future NBA draft pick Steven
Adams began his college basketball career in solid style on
the weekend.
The seven-footer started at centre and compiled eight points,
eight rebounds and four blocks in 26 minutes of the
University of Pittsburgh's 80-48 win over Mount St Mary's
Adams went four-of-five from the floor to help the Panthers
set a school record 70 per cent shooting percentage in their
regular season opener at home.
The 19-year-old, half-brother of Olympic shot put champion
Valerie Adams, is rated as a top international prospect for
the NBA, with some projections placing him as a high first
round draft selection.
Fellow Kiwi Isaac Fotu was also in action as the US
collegiate season began, hauling down 15 rebounds to help
University of Hawaii to a 76-64 win over Maryland-Eastern
Shore.
The Tall Black added four points, an assist and a steal in 29
minutes as Hawaii made a winning start to the Rainbow Classic
tournament.
Meanwhile, Tall Black Kirk Penney returned to action in the
Turkish Basketball League, helping TED Kolejliler overwhelm
Haceteppe 84-60 in the week five.
Penney, who missed his team's loss to Banvit last week, was
accurate from the arc and nailed four-of-eight from
three-point territory among his 15 points, four rebounds and
three assists.
Both teams began the contest with 2-2 records, but the win
elevates Kolejliler to sixth on the competition table, two
games behind leaders Galatasaray.
Penney is averaging 17.8 points and trails only teammate Jovo
Stanojevic in the league's scoring rankings.
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