Danielle Adams

Last updated
Danielle Adams
Danielle Adams by Cheryl Vorhis.jpg
Free agent
Position Power forward / center
League WNBA
Personal information
Born (1989-02-19) February 19, 1989 (age 35)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight239 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school Lee's Summit
(Lee's Summit, Missouri)
College
WNBA draft 2011: 2nd round, 20th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Silver Stars
Playing career2011–present
Career history
20112015 San Antonio Stars / Silver Stars
2011–2012GMO Pozzouli
2011–2014 Maccabi Bnot Ashdod
2014–2016 CJM Bourges Basket
2016–2017Maccabi Bnot Ramat Gan
20172020 Connecticut Sun
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Danielle E'Shawn Adams (born February 19, 1989) is an American forward-center who is currently a free agent. She played college basketball at Texas A&M. She is the first Texas A&M player to be named an Associated Press first-team All-American. [1] She also captured first team All-American honors from the WBCA. [2] She was the Most Outstanding Player in the 2011 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament championship, scoring 30 points. [3] [4] The 30 points rank second in NCAA Championship Game history. [5]

Contents

College

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Adams began her college career at Jefferson College. She earned Junior College All-American honors both years at the school, and as a sophomore, led her team to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship and a 34–1 record. [6] Following the completion of her sophomore year at the two-year school, she contemplated where to play the next two years. Two of the schools she considered were Louisville and Texas A&M. Although her coach recommended Louisville, she decided that Texas A&M would be a better choice to prepare her for the future. [7]

She came into A&M weighing 280 pounds. With support from the coaching staff, including conditioning coach Jen Jones, she slimmed down to 230 pounds her senior year. [8] As a result, she was able to play "longer and harder" which helped her to become a first team All-American. In her junior year, she came off the bench and played just over 23 minutes per game. As a senior, she started, and was able to play 35 minutes per game. [9]

To get to the Final Four, Adams would have to help her team beat Baylor, a task that has been difficult recently. Baylor beat Texas A&M in both regular season meetings, and in the Big Twelve conference tournament game. In that game, Texas A&M held a lead late, but could not hold on to win. In the Dallas regional Final, Texas A&M pulled out to a large lead, and was leading by 16 points almost halfway through the second half, when Baylor tried to mount a comeback. Baylor cut the margin to seven points, but could not get any closer, and Texas A&M went on to win the first game in their last nine meetings, and move on to the Final Four. [10]

In the National Championship game against Notre Dame, the Irish were leading at halftime by two points, but extended the lead with a 7–3 run to start the second half. During a media time out the Texas A&M coaching staff told Adams to go inside. She ended up scoring 30 points, second most in NCAA Championship history and earning the award for Most Outstanding Player. She is only the second player, after Sheryl Swoopes to come from the junior college ranks and go on to win a Most Outstanding Player award. [11] Swoopes is also the only player to score more than Adams in a title game. [12] After scoring only eight points in the first half, she scored ten consecutive points by herself in the second half, as part of a 15–5 run that gave the Aggies the lead. Notre Dame would tie the game later, but Adams responded with two consecutive baskets to give her team a lead it would never relinquish. [13]

Texas A&M statistics

Source [14]

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009-10 Texas A&M 33 539 49.027.7 71.7 5.8 1.0 1.1 1.416.3
2010-11 Texas A&M 3884748.3 30.079.48.51.0 1.21.3 22.3
Career Texas A&M 71 1386 48.6 29.1 76.1 7.3 1.0 1.2 1.4 19.5

WNBA

Adams was selected in the second round of the 2011 WNBA draft (20th overall) by the San Antonio Silver Stars. [15] On June 11, 2011, she scored 32 points against the Atlanta Dream, setting the franchise's rookie record. [16] She was also named the Rookie of the Month for the month of June. [17]

Adams was named as a reserve to the roster of the All-Star team for the 2011 WNBA All-Star game, along with Silver Stars teammate Becky Hammon. The reserves were selected by the twelve head coaches of the WNBA teams; each coach is not permitted to vote for their own players. At the time of the decision, Adams was the leading scorer among rookies in the league, with a scoring average of 15.6 points per game. She also received more write-in votes than any other player. Adams was one of four rookies on the All-Star team, the other three being Maya Moore, Courtney Vandersloot and Liz Cambage. [18]

Adams was suspended on July 29, 2015, by the WNBA for three games without pay due to violation of the league's Anti-Drug Policy for unspecified charges. Adams admitted she was guilty and apologized to her teammates and the community. [19] She was waived by the San Antonio Stars in April 2016. [20]

In February 2017, Adams signed a training camp contract with the Connecticut Sun. [21] In April 2017, she made the final roster for the team. [22]

Personal

She is the daughter of Tiffany Hill and has a younger sister

Awards and honors

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chamique Holdsclaw</span> American basketball player

Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw is an American former professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) most recently under a contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars. She announced her retirement from the Los Angeles Sparks on June 11, 2007, though she eventually came out of retirement to play with the Atlanta Dream for the 2009 WNBA Season. Holdsclaw was inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Helen Marie Darling is an American former professional basketball player, who played most recently for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Palmer</span> American basketball player and coach

Wendy Palmer is a former professional basketball player in the WNBA, and former head coach of the UNCG women's basketball team. Her primary position was forward.

Kendra Renee Wecker is a former American professional basketball player in the WNBA. She formerly played forward for the San Antonio Silver Stars and Washington Mystics. In the off season, she played in the Spanish league with UB F.C Barcelona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camille Little</span> American basketball player

Camille Little is a former American professional basketball player for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She began her WNBA career with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2007. She played college basketball at North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brittney Griner</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Brittney Yevette Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.

Chante Black is an American professional basketball player. She most recently played for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skylar Diggins-Smith</span> American basketball player

Skylar Kierra Diggins-Smith is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Diggins was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA draft. In high school, she was the National Gatorade Player of the Year and the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year. She played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and led the team to three consecutive Final Fours and two consecutive NCAA championship appearances. She finished her Notre Dame career ranked first in points and steals, second in assists, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalana Greene</span>

Kalana Lanette Greene, is an American professional women's basketball guard, who last played for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and CCC Polkowice in Poland. She played her college career at the University of Connecticut, where the Huskies were the 2009 and 2010 NCAA national Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Colson</span> American basketball player

Sydney Justine Colson is an American basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball at Texas A&M University, where she helped the Aggies win the 2011 NCAA title. She has previously played for the New York Liberty, San Antonio Stars, Minnesota Lynx, and the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, and overseas in Poland and Israel. Colson is a two-time WNBA champion, winning back-to-back titles with the Aces in 2022 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odyssey Sims</span> American basketball player

Odyssey Celeste Sims is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. An AP and WBCA All-American, Sims was born in Irving, Texas and graduated from MacArthur High School.

Sydney Carter is a retired professional basketball player. She played college basketball at Texas A&M University, where she played along Sydney Colson and San Antonio Stars center Danielle Adams and helped the Aggies win the NCAA title during her junior year. She was an Assistant Coach in the 2021-2022 season at Texas A&M and is now the Director of Player Development for women’s basketball at The University of Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moriah Jefferson</span> American basketball player

Moriah Jefferson is an American professional basketball player for the Connecticut Sun in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA draft. Jefferson played point guard for UConn women's basketball team, where she won four consecutive national championships. She finished her UConn career ranked first in assists, second in steals, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation. On May 16, 2019, Jefferson was traded to the Dallas Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiney Ogwumike</span> American basketball player

Chinenye "Chiney" Ogwumike is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 2020, she became the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN. She was one of the first and youngest commentators ever to be named an NBA analyst for the network covering the NBA, WNBA, and variety of sports, while simultaneously playing in the WNBA. Chiney is a graduate of Stanford University, where she majored in International relations. She played in three Final Fours and finished as the conference leader in scoring and rebounding as of January 3, 2014. As of 2016, Ogwumike was elected Vice-President of the WNBA Players Association, and signed an endorsement deal with Adidas. In May 2018, Ogwumike signed a multi-year contract with ESPN to become a full-time basketball analyst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball team represents Texas A&M University (TAMU) in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The team is coached by Joni Taylor, entering her first season; she replaced Gary Blair, who retired after 37 years as a collegiate head coach, 19 of which were with TAMU. The Aggies play home games at Reed Arena, a 12,989-capacity arena in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayla McBride</span> American basketball player

Kayla Renae McBride is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League (KBSL), EuroLeague Women. She was drafted third overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2014 WNBA draft. McBride played shooting guard for Notre Dame, where she led the Fighting Irish to four consecutive Final Fours and three NCAA championship appearances.

Shoni Schimmel is an American former professional basketball player. She is a former All-American college player at the University of Louisville and was selected with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 draft by the Atlanta Dream.

Chennedy Carter is an American professional basketball player. She played college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies. In April 2019, Carter was named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press. Carter was chosen fourth overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aliyah Boston</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Aliyah Boston is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She plays the power forward and center positions. She was named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and the AP Rookie of the Year. She played college basketball at the University of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NaLyssa Smith</span> American basketball player

NaLyssa Smith is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Baylor, winning the NCAA Division I Championship in 2019 and the Wade Trophy in 2021. She was drafted second overall by the Fever in the 2022 WNBA draft.

References

  1. "Danielle Adams, Brittney Griner named first-team All-Americans". KansasCity.com. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  2. "Past WBCA NCAA DI Coaches' All-America Teams". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2014-07-15. Retrieved 3 Jul 2014.
  3. 1 2 Michelle Smith. "Women's NCAA tournament - Texas A&M Aggies' Danielle Adams stars on biggest stage - espnW". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  4. "KC's Adams, White lead Texas A&M to NCAA women's title". KansasCity.com. April 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  5. Associated Press. "Adams, defense power Aggies to title | The Augusta Chronicle". Chronicle.augusta.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  6. 1 2 "Danielle Adams". Texas A&M. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011.
  7. Miller, Jeff (2010-03-16). "Slimmed-down Danielle Adams embraces role, spurs Texas A&M". USA Today.
  8. Stacy Clardie. "Aggies' Adams in charge all night | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN". The Journal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  9. Harris, David (Feb 25, 2014). "Danielle Adams put A&M 'on my back' on path to basketball championship". The Eagle. Retrieved 3 Jul 2014.
  10. Briggs, Jerry (March 30, 2011). "Aggies bound for Final Four". San Antonio Express News.
  11. Killion, Ann (April 6, 2011). "Once unthinkable, Texas A&M crowned champions for first time". Sports Illustrated.
  12. Smith, Tim (April 5, 2011). "Texas A&M's Danielle Adams (l.) scores 22 of her 30 points in the second half as the Aggies defeat Natalie Achonwa and Notre Dame on Tuesday night. > Texas A&M's Danielle Adams (l.) scores 22 of her 30 points in the… (Conroy/AP) Texas A&M, Danielle Adams beat Notre Dame, 76-70, to win Aggies' first-ever women's national title". New York Daily News.
  13. Gardiner, Andy (April 6, 2011). "Danielle Adams powers Texas A&M to title". USA Today.
  14. "Women's Basketball Player stats". NCAA. Retrieved 22 Sep 2015.
  15. "WNBA.com: 2011 WNBA Draft Board". www.wnba.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  16. "Adams scores 32 as Silver Stars down winless Dream". The Sports Network. Jun 11, 2011. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013.
  17. "Danielle Adams named Rookie of the Month for June". WNBA.
  18. "Danielle Adams and Becky Hammon Named All-Star Reserves". WNBA. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20.
  19. "San Antonio Stars' Danielle Adams Suspended - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  20. "San Antonio Stars Waive Danielle Adams - San Antonio Stars". San Antonio Stars. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  21. "Connecticut Sun sign Danielle Adams to a training camp contract". Hoopfeed.com. 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  22. "Danielle Adams Grateful, Excited for Second Chance - Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  23. "Past WBCA Players of the Year". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 3 Jul 2014.
  24. "Sun Sign Danielle Adams - Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  25. "Former Lee's Summit star Danielle Adams chosen to NJCAA women's basketball hall of fame". kansascity. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  26. "Latest Hall of Fame class features Danielle Adams". NJCAA. 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2017-09-25.