New lucky number on Adams’ singlet

STEVEN ADAMS’ new lucky number is 12.

The 19-year-old Kiwi was thrilled to be picked 12th by Oklahoma City in Friday’s NBA draft and he will wear that same number for the Thunder, instead of the 13 he wore in college.

Adams and fellow draft picks Andre Roberson and Grant Jerrett were introduced to Oklahoma City media on Sunday and the 2.13m centre was still pinching himself from the draft experience in New York.

‘‘It felt like my birthday and Christmas put together,’’ Adams said.

‘‘It isn’t just a basketball team. It’s much more. The community backs them. It’s a huge honour to be putting on the jersey and be representing the whole community.’’

The Thunder’s draft didn’t go down well with some fans, who felt the Western Conference powerhouse should have selected more ‘‘NBA-ready’’ talent.

Oklahoma City were NBA finalists in 2011-12 and had the second best regular season record in 2012-13 before their playoff campaign was derailed by Russell Westbrook’s season-ending injury.

Many Thunder fans remain bitter about last year’s decision to trade James Harden to the Houston Rockets, with the shooting guard since emerging as a genuine superstar.

Part of the return package from Houston was the No 12 pick which netted Adams.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti made no apologies for his draft choices, telling reporters the franchise remained committed to the player development policy

‘It isn’t just a basketball team. It’s much more. The community backs them. It’s a huge honour to be putting on the jersey and be representing the whole community.’ Steven Adams

which has reaped such rich rewards in Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Westbrook.

‘‘All three players are guys that we value,’’ Presti said.

‘‘They understand they have a lot of work ahead of them but it is our experience that with time and a specific plan, each person will work to try to maximise the gifts that they have.’’

Adams will get his first real oncourt chance to impress his new bosses at the July 7-12 Orlando summer league.

His mentor, Kenny McFadden, told The Dominion Post it was too early to say whether Adams was destined to spend his rookie season in the D-League with the Tulsa 66ers.

‘‘That’s up to the management and the coaching staff and that’s what the summer league is all about,’’ McFadden said.

‘‘Where he is as far as the team’s concerned, they don’t make decisions that early. You’ve got summer league and rookie camps, pre-season training, so it’s months down the track.’’

The 2013-14 NBA season tips off on October 29.