Basketball: NBA star Steven Adams pledges allegiance to Tall Blacks 'when time is right'

Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams of New Zealand plays the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo/AP Photos

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has hinted he's closer to wearing a Tall Blacks singlet for the first time.

During a promotional visit to the Philippines, Adams, 23, assured media he still had aspirations to play for New Zealand, despite shunning those opportunities so far.

The Oklahoma City Thunder player has only once represented his country at international level, taking the NZ U17 team close to qualifying for their world championships in 2008.

"When the time is right, I will be definitely suiting up," he told reporters. "You will see me."
That may become more difficult, now that many of the Tall Blacks' international fixtures clash directly with the NBA season.

But coach Paul Henare has continued to discuss Adams' availability with the seven-foot centre and is hopeful of having him on board soon.

"I had a chance to sit with him," Henare told nbl.com.au, during the recent NBA Summer League. "He's really keen on playing in the Olympics, but obviously we need his help to try and get there.

"The next conversation is 'mate, we need you here and here, and if you can do that, great'."