Notre Dame Preparatory School, not to be confused with the university (or cathedral) of the same name, seems a long way from the Chicago Bulls or Los Angeles Lakers, but it's a stepping stone in what has already been a remarkable journey.
"The main reason he's going there is because he's done so well with his academics over the last year and got into a really good routine of study, tutors and training at the same time," explains McFadden.
"There's a real danger for a lot of players who leave school at the end of November and don't start college until the following August. That's a long break and we didn't want to have any gaps."
Only a few years ago, Adams was an over-sized kid bound for trouble in the mean streets of Rotorua. But half-brother and former Tall Black Warren Adams grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and hauled him off to Wellington, where he enlisted the help of two people who had helped shape his own life at the same age - McFadden and caregiver Blossom Cameron.
Back in the 1980s, McFadden was New Zealand basketball's answer to Magic Johnson, a charismatic and skilful performer who sold the sport to a generation. He's still one of the best ever to play in the National Basketball League and has dedicated his life to helping young players realise their potential.
While the master honed Adams' physical talents on the court, Cameron has generously taken the giant into her home, clothed him, fed him, enrolled him at Scots College and made sure he did his homework.
Adams was named NBL Rookie of the Year as his Wellington Saints defended their title in July but really made his name the following month at the adidas Nations Camp in Los Angeles, where he dominated the best American and international prospects of his age.
"He makes the game look incredibly easy, from making pinpoint outlet passes, to blocking shots, in addition to crashing the boards with reckless abandon," said Allen Moll, who covered the camp for TheHoopDoctors website. "He has a huge vertical jump and can step out and shoot a three-pointer and has even brought the ball up the floor on occasion.
"One coach at the event marvelled at the sheer size of Adams' hands. He told fellow coaches and players that he once had the pleasure of meeting and shaking the hands of future NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. He went on to add that Adams' mitts put Shaq's rather immense money makers to shame. Wow."
Lakers coach Mike Brown was at the adidas camp watching his son when Steve scored 37 points on him. I was watching Brown and his eyes just opened wide. As the games went on, he'd be watching his son, but he was also keeping an eye on Steve on the other court."
On the court, the Crusaders also finished runners-up at the US national high school tournament earlier this year and he'll have a chance to adjust to the demands of an American lifestyle before heading to the University of Pittsburgh. There he'll fall under the tutelage of coach Jamie Dixon, who has amassed more Big East Conference wins (109) than any coach in the competition's history.
"Jamie Dixon and the Big East is something you can't pass up," says McFadden. "He's a top-quality coach who loves coaching big men in a power conference. And Jamie knows the New Zealand culture well. If Steve does what we know he can do, he's an automatic No 1 draft pick."
