Basketball: Adams ready to make history

Family of NBA prospect Steven Adams will gather around the television today to watch their little brother make history.

Born and raised in Rotorua, Steven is almost guaranteed selection in the first round of the NBA draft today, which will make him the first Kiwi to achieve the feat.

Steven's older sister Gabriella Adams, who lives and works in Rotorua, said she would be watching the draft at home with sister Lisa.

"I have got the day off work so I can watch it. I didn't want anyone coming in [during work] and ruining it," she said with a laugh.

The most popular draft predictions put Steven at No12 pick, which would see him teaming up with NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook at Oklahoma Thunder.

However, Gabriella said if it was up to her she would like to see him sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

"I want him to play with Dirk [Nowitzki], I'd love to meet him."

Sadly, the match up is unlikely with experts putting Steven around the 10th to 12th pick, which would see him collect close to US$2 million ($2.5 million) in his rookie year.

Despite the pressure of a multi-million dollar contract, Gabriella said her brother was dealing with the hype really well.

"He knows what he is doing. It actually blows me away how grown up he is for his age," she said about the 19-year-old.

"Especially with everyone in his face about the money, he doesn't worry about it. Dad taught us a lot about the money side of things, he was quite stingy so that's good."

Steven grew up in Owhata with his three siblings Gabriella, Lisa and eldest brother Sidney, who is currently in New York with Steven.

Gabriella said they also had eight half sisters and brothers including two-time gold medallist Valerie Adams.

"We have gone through this before with Val but it is a bit different with Steven," she said. "I don't see him like everyone else does because to me he is still my little brother."

She said her brother had not changed much at all since being thrust into the limelight.

"He still has the Adams' humour and he doesn't really get overwhelmed. People say he has got an American accent now but he still speaks the way he use to just with a bit of their slang."

Gabriella said she had been staying in touch with Steven through Viber.

Steven will become only the third Kiwi to play in the NBA if and when he takes the court.

Former New Zealand NBA player Sean Marks was the 44th pick in the 1998 NBA draft and Kirk Penney wasn't selected from the NBA draft but had brief stints with Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs.

The draft is being aired live on ESPN (Sky channel 61) at 11.30am today.