The Underrated star
by Jeff Johnson
G.W. CARVER HIGH STAR DARIAN ADAMS PICKS TROY UNIVERSITY
Darian Adams drives on Lee- Huntsville's Ashton Ray during the 6A State Championship game. Photo Cred/Vasha Hunt of AL.com
Darian Adams selects Troy University over offers from SIU-Edwardsville, Alabama State and interest from a host of other Division 1 mid-major programs. Adams is a skilled combo guard who’s known for his mid-range game. He’s a proven winner who’ll be going for his fourth straight state championship this upcoming season.
How can a star player be underrated? Kids in high school with multiple division-1 offers are usually the topic of conversation amongst top players. But if you say the name Darian Adams, the responses you get are: "He’s solid. Good, but not great. Oh! I forgot about him, Oh, Yeah the kid from Saint Jude." Hardly responses that jump out at you but his stat lines read much different. If you ask opposing coaches, his name is definitely all over their scouting reports. Darian Adams is a do everything guard with little weaknesses in his game and this season as Carver (Montgomery) tries to repeat as Class 6A Champions you’ll see what I see. A STAR!!
A bit biased as I coached Darian in his freshman and sophomore seasons. I’ve seen his game mature and his approach to the game come full circle. Overshadowed at Saint Jude by the likes of Andrew Rogers, Tommy Burton, Jacob Winston and even fellow backcourt mate and best friend Rod Scott. He wasn’t asked to do much but we all knew as a staff the ability was there. He’d dominate in practice and have the starters running sprints because he’d shred the defense time and time again. But we had so many guys returning and so much depth he was just a role player. But that spring something clicked. Plus he grew five inches from 5’10 to 6’3 and his confidence and his game shot through the roof.
I knew he’d breakout as a junior but it wasn’t meant to be at Saint Jude as the doors closed forcing him across the street to G.W. Carver. A move that many looked at him going back to the bench but I knew better. Darian was immediately thrust into the starting role and was an integral part of winning Coach James Jackson's second state championship. As the travel season approached, he was still flying under the radar but after playing against the Alabama Challenge, a Nike EYBL Squad, in the AAU state qualifier, they reached out and he joined the team and ended up starting in arguably the toughest AAU League in the country. Blessed with a college ready body and now the confidence and attitude to match his skills, the sky’s the limit for Darian. He’ll team up with Wesley Person next season giving Troy one of the top back-courts in the Sun Belt Conference. I recently caught up with Darian and asked him some questions about the upcoming season and his college commitment.
How can a star player be underrated? Kids in high school with multiple division-1 offers are usually the topic of conversation amongst top players. But if you say the name Darian Adams, the responses you get are: "He’s solid. Good, but not great. Oh! I forgot about him, Oh, Yeah the kid from Saint Jude." Hardly responses that jump out at you but his stat lines read much different. If you ask opposing coaches, his name is definitely all over their scouting reports. Darian Adams is a do everything guard with little weaknesses in his game and this season as Carver (Montgomery) tries to repeat as Class 6A Champions you’ll see what I see. A STAR!!
A bit biased as I coached Darian in his freshman and sophomore seasons. I’ve seen his game mature and his approach to the game come full circle. Overshadowed at Saint Jude by the likes of Andrew Rogers, Tommy Burton, Jacob Winston and even fellow backcourt mate and best friend Rod Scott. He wasn’t asked to do much but we all knew as a staff the ability was there. He’d dominate in practice and have the starters running sprints because he’d shred the defense time and time again. But we had so many guys returning and so much depth he was just a role player. But that spring something clicked. Plus he grew five inches from 5’10 to 6’3 and his confidence and his game shot through the roof.
I knew he’d breakout as a junior but it wasn’t meant to be at Saint Jude as the doors closed forcing him across the street to G.W. Carver. A move that many looked at him going back to the bench but I knew better. Darian was immediately thrust into the starting role and was an integral part of winning Coach James Jackson's second state championship. As the travel season approached, he was still flying under the radar but after playing against the Alabama Challenge, a Nike EYBL Squad, in the AAU state qualifier, they reached out and he joined the team and ended up starting in arguably the toughest AAU League in the country. Blessed with a college ready body and now the confidence and attitude to match his skills, the sky’s the limit for Darian. He’ll team up with Wesley Person next season giving Troy one of the top back-courts in the Sun Belt Conference. I recently caught up with Darian and asked him some questions about the upcoming season and his college commitment.
Darian Adams dunks by a Greenville defenser. Photo Cred/Montgomery Advertiser.
What are you looking forward to the most about this upcoming basketball season? "I’m looking forward to winning another state championship. But to finally get noticed for some individual awards is something I’d welcome but not at the expense of team's goals."
When did you know or feel that your name belonged amongst the elite players in the state? "I felt that way during the State AAU Qualifier earlier this year. We played against teams from all over the state and I held my own."
Why Troy University? I know you had other offers and serious interest from a few others. What stood out about them? "I chose Troy because they made me feel like I was a priority for them. Nothing against the other schools but Troy made me feel like I was needed not just wanted."
Finally not everyone knows that your Big Brother Desmond Deramus is a Great basketball player in his own right at Auburn University Montgomery. Have you and he played 1 on 1 recently? Do you think you can beat him? "We haven’t played 1-on-1 recently but I believe I can beat him now. I’ll let you know when we do."
When did you know or feel that your name belonged amongst the elite players in the state? "I felt that way during the State AAU Qualifier earlier this year. We played against teams from all over the state and I held my own."
Why Troy University? I know you had other offers and serious interest from a few others. What stood out about them? "I chose Troy because they made me feel like I was a priority for them. Nothing against the other schools but Troy made me feel like I was needed not just wanted."
Finally not everyone knows that your Big Brother Desmond Deramus is a Great basketball player in his own right at Auburn University Montgomery. Have you and he played 1 on 1 recently? Do you think you can beat him? "We haven’t played 1-on-1 recently but I believe I can beat him now. I’ll let you know when we do."