‘We’re aware of that rumour’
Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) chief executive Iain Potter says a grudge against the organisation might have contributed to Steven Adams’ refusal to wear the Tall Blacks singlet early in his career — but he insists it’s no longer a reason for the NBA superstar’s unavailability. Adams’ continued absence from international basketball was now simply about rest, Potter says.
Sources close to Adams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder centre’s childhood mentor Kenny McFadden, told the
Herald on Sunday the 24-year-old was upset after being forced to withdraw from an age-group squad in
2009 because he couldn’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to play in the Junior
Tall Blacks’ World Cup campaign.
Potter wasn’t with the organisation at the time but told the Herald on Sunday there was “a yes and no to that reasoning”.
“I don’t think that’s held. There may have been an element of that when he first went over to the US but, certainly in my conversations with him, it’s not something he holds any more,” said Potter, BBNZ chief executive since 2012.
“He and many others suffered from pay-as-you-play type arrangements, and kids still do,” Potter said. “We’re aware of that rumour but we’re pretty confident it’s not about that.”
Potter said Adams would always be “welcome to just be part of the Tall Blacks environment — whether he plays or not”.
“I think he would enjoy the camaraderie and the culture . . . it’s not always about the basketball,” the chief executive said.