How NBA megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo has helped Sydney Kings import guard Jaylen Adams overcome injury adversity

When it comes to recent NBA success, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is right up there, and it’s no fluke according to Sydney Kings import guard Jaylen Adams.

Sydney Kings import guard Jaylen Adams only had a brief stint alongside NBA megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he says that is all you need when witnessing greatness.

Adams played seven NBA games and a few pre-season matches next to Antetokounmpo for the Milwaukee Bucks from 2019 and through to the franchise’s run to the championship last season.

He came off the bench for the Bucks, but he was blessed to have a front-row seat to witness one of the most genetically gifted athletes the game has seen.

For all Antetokounmpo’s on-court brilliance, it’s off the court when the bright lights aren’t shining when he really excels, according to Adams.

“Giannis’ work ethic, and seeing that every day at training, was the biggest thing for me,” Adams said about Antetokounmpo, a Finals MVP, a two-time NBA MVP and a five-time All-Star.

“Everywhere I’ve been in my career I’ve prided myself on being the hardest worker, but he took it to another level.

“I’d do extra training, hours after everyone went home, and Giannis was there every night working on his game and lifting weights with his brother.

Jaylen Adams shoots during the NBL clash between the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United.

“I hadn’t really seen that extra work after hours in the NBA. I know it happens, but Giannis was consistently putting in extra effort when no one was there.

“That was special to see and it’s why I spent as much time with him soaking up as much as I could.

“Giannis is at the top of his game because he works his arse off.”

Adams also went out of his way to learn from Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, who is a beast without the ball.

“I took a lot from Jrue defensively,” he said.

“It was hard to take away a lot of the things he did on the offensive end because he is so big – 6’4 and super strong – but I just tried to pick his brain about what he sees out there.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo in action for the Milwaukee Bucks.

ROAD TO REDEMPTION:

Adams has used his hardworking lessons from Antetokounmpo, Holiday and other Bucks players to help him stay focused as he plotted a return an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since round 1.

He sprained his ankle at training, just days after Sydney’s opening round win over Melbourne United.

Adams experienced a rollercoaster of emotions from sadness and anger.

Thankfully, he has made a full recovery and he’ll finally make a comeback against the Illawarra Hawks on Thursday night – and he can’t wait.

“I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back out there and play,” he said.

“It’s tough being on the sidelines, especially if you don’t win and the frustration comes in.

“You see the guys struggling and all you want to do is help, so it is going to be a great feeling to be with my teammates on the court again.”

Jaylen Adams defends against Matthew Dellavedova of Melbourne United.

HOW THE KINGS DEAL WAS DONE:

It’s a twist of fate that Adams has connected with his former G League coach in Buford at the Sydney Kings.

He originally had no intention of signing in the NBL when he contacted Buford last year to congratulate him on the Kings job.

“I remember Chase joked with me saying: ‘what do I have to do to get you over here?’,” he recalled.

Adams wasn’t ready to relocate as he had his sights set on trying to make the NBA despite being waived by the Bucks just weeks earlier.

“But circumstances changed, my conversations with Chase started to become a bit longer and it ended up being a perfect fit to come to Oz,” he said.

“I wanted to be on the court and playing significant minutes with a big role again.

“The Kings then called and told me that is the opportunity they wanted to give me, so I jumped at it.”

Jaylen Adams of the Kings poses during the Sydney Kings NBL headshots session.

Fellow Sydney Kings import guard RJ Hunter also contacted Adams about Buford when he was weighing up joining the Kings.

The affable guard was more than happy to convince Hunter to join him in the Harbour City.

Adams also wanted to give Buford a big wrap as a coach and person.

“It’s Chase’s energy more than anything,” he said about Buford, who was on Milwaukee’s championship-winning coaching staff last season.

“He is a young coach, so he will get on the floor with us, he practices with us most days and he is going hard.

“He is down on the floor trying to score on us and that energy is contagious to the team. Plus, he knows what he is talking about, so it is a good mix.”

Hello @NBL Introducing @10jadams ... #WeTheKings#NBLBlitzpic.twitter.com/B7bV0RFwpM

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) November 18, 2021

Adams is expected to make a significant difference to Sydney’s scoring potency and energy on the defensive end, which is perfect timing given they take on the high-flying Hawks in Wollongong on Thursday night.

“I came in knowing how Chase wanted to play, so I felt like I was bridging the gap for the guys who haven’t played under him before,” he said.

“I think I can do a good job of just making everyone’s job a little bit easier.”