Former first round draft pick Jordan Adams has signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets G-League affiliate. Adams, who is now 24-years-old is attempting to make a return to the NBA after near-career ending knee injuries.
The former UCLA guard had last played for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2015-16 after the team drafted him in with the 22nd pick in the 1st round.
During the 2015 offseason, Adams underwent minor surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee and after a fairly successful Orlando Summer League (16 points per game). Adams played the first four games of the regular season with the Grizzlies before being sidelined with right knee soreness.
Then, in early 2016, Adams underwent surgery on his right knee that kept him out for the rest of the season. In the offseason, Adams had to undergo yet another procedure, this time cartilage transplant surgery.
Adams didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself in the NBA due to the injuries, but he profiled really well as a college prospect. During his last year at UCLA, Adams averaged 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game on 60.3% true shooting. Adams has great size (6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan), is a strong finisher at the rim and gets to the free throw line at a good rate.
The amount of surgeries he got is definitely a red flag, but Adams was never really the most athletic prospect so it shouldn’t hinder what made him a good overall prospect.
It’ll be interesting to see if Adams can resurrect his NBA career in the G-League with the Vipers. He is definitely worth rooting for.
