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.
