Tyler Adams: Future Blue Devil, reformed Duke hater
Words. Jason Jordan
When Brandon (Miss.) High School center Tyler Adams ended his recruitment Sunday night and committed to Duke over Alabama, Mississippi State, Clemson and Memphis, he was making his father, Lonnie Adams — one of the biggest Duke fans in Mississippi — the happiest man in the world and shocking himself in the process.
“I honestly hated Duke growing up, man,” said Adams, a 6-9 junior center. “I don’t know… They just won all the time, I guess. I don’t know. Does anyone know why they really hate Duke? I just know that I love them now!”
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HighSchoolHoop: So take me through the process of committing to a school. Last Sunday you woke up and didn’t know where you wanted to go?
Tyler Adams: Well, sort of. I had been saying for a while now that if Duke offered me I was gonna take it. I’d pretty much had my mind made up for about two weeks, but I wasn’t sure when I was gonna make it official.
HSH: OK, so what made Sunday the day to do it?
TA: I don’t know that there was anything special about Sunday. I just wanted to get it out of the way. There’s no need to hold back anymore. That’s what I was thinking. The recruiting process can be a little crazy and more and more coaches were trying to come in and talk to me. I just wanted to get it over with. I knew where I wanted to go.
HSH: So you’re not an attention freak like a lot of these guys?
TA: Not at all. I don’t need all of that attention, even though I get it anyway.
HSH: You were still debating on your decision before Duke won the title?
TA: Yeah.
HSH: How much did that title help?
TA: (Laughs) Yeah that helped out a whole lot. I feel like I would’ve gone there anyway, but just to see them win that was crazy. Who wouldn’t want to play for champions?
HSH: Were you parents on board with your decision?
TA: Definitely! My dad is the biggest Duke fan out there! He looooves Duke!
HSH: Is he that guy who gets into arguments over Duke and UNC?
TA: Yes!
HSH: What about you, were you a Duke fan growing up?
TA: You know what… I don’t think I’ve said this before, but I actually hated Duke growing up.
HSH: Now THAT is interesting.
TA: Yeah, I know.
HSH: So what didn’t you like about the Blue Devils?
TA: I guess it’s because they always won. It’s like the Lakers and the Yankees, you always hate the team that always wins. It’s kind of crazy now that I think about it. Then I got to know the coaches and got close to them and now I’m a big fan!
HSH: So now the hater is the hated. How’s that going to be?
TA: Should be fun. I’m used to that anyway so I’ll fit right in.
HSH: So who did you call on Sunday when you were ready to commit?
TA: I called Coach K and left him a message, then I called (assistant) coach (Nate) James and told him and he was just really excited. Then Coach K called me back and we talked. They were all happy.
HSH: This whole process was sort of quick, as far as recruitments go. Have you even visited Duke?
TA: Actually, no I haven’t. I’ve been down to the school for the Bob Gibbons Tournament and we played there at Duke a few times. But I haven’t been there for any type of official visit or anything.
HSH: Interesting, you’re the first guy I’ve ever heard of that’s done that, congratulations!
TA: (Laughs) Thanks man! When you know, you know.
HSH: Are you gonna visit this summer?
TA: Yeah I’m planning to come down for a visit in June.
HSH: Let’s get into your AAU season. How are you doing with the Jackson Tigers?
TA: We’re doing good, just coming together as a team.
HSH: What are you averaging?
TA: I’m averaging about 10 points and 12 rebounds every game. With our team being so talented I go into games trying to see how many rebounds I can pull down. We’ve got a lot of scorers so I just concentrate on getting all the rebounds that I can.
HSH: What part of your game are you working on the most this summer?
TA: In the last few months I’ve gotten into a lot better shape, but I’m still working on my wind so I can run the court even better. I want to run the court hard every time, every play. So that and knocking down the short jump shot more consistently. I already like to bang down low so I’m trying to expand my game.
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
Interesting interview Tyler Adams. We’re glad that you decided to join the family and bleed a masculine shade of blue instead of baby blue.
Your athleticism and basketball IQ is going to take this team to another level. Be patient man cuz you’ve got something special. Don’t push yourself too hard and take it a day at a time like you’ve been doing. College flies by and with an NCAA career it will be full of training, discipline, and domination on an elite Division I Men’s Basketball team.
I look forward to watching you compete and earn time on the court man. Peace…
The Hoyas are a good school also but I’m still hoping that you consider the upside with playing for Duke. Duke’s got so many players who could rack up the assists by passing inside when teams try to spread their defense to stop Duke’s 3 point shooting. Austin Rivers, Seth Curry, Kyrie Irving, Thornton all know how to slash, split defenders and get the ball to you.
You could be a Double-double machine with the right ball handlers passing inside to the big man Tyler Adams. guess you have to do what feels right for you…
Good luck on your decision with where you want to play college ball.