How Dennis Rodman helped KU basketball’s KJ Adams become the player he is today
Kansas forward KJ Adams is constantly moving on the court.
He’s always shifting his positioning, racing up and down the court and causing havoc. He’s doing everything he can to ensure KU wins.
It all goes back to his mindset — he prides himself on outworking his opponents. It’s almost like his superpower on the court.
“It’s really what makes me ‘me,’ and what makes me stand out,” Adams said. “Without that, I’m kind of an average player, so I’ve just got to keep that coming on.”
Adams fully displayed his mentality in KU’s 86-67 win over the Wichita State Shockers on Saturday at T-Mobile Center.
Adams finished with nine points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Most importantly, he was everywhere on the court.
Former Kansas star and current Denver Nuggets player Christian Braun, who sat courtside, came away impressed with his former teammate’s work ethic.
“C.B. said after that game, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody play harder than that kid,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I mean, he gets over every screen and he just does so many things from an effort standpoint. ... He’s just playing so well.”
He’s also doing it in a different spot than he was last year.
After KU added star big man Hunter Dickinson through the portal, Adams shifted back to power forward, his natural position. He played the 2022-23 season as the team’s starting center.
It’s been an adjustment for Adams, but he’s slowly found his footing at the four spot. He’s averaging career-highs in points (12.4) and assists (3.2).
“It’s been a little tough,” Adams said. “But once I learned to space the floor a little bit and get other people involved, it helps a little bit.”
If there’s any part that’s lagged, it’s Adams’ rebounding. This issue is a slight surprise since the forward has out-of-the-world athleticism.
From Self to starting point guard Dajuan Harris, the message to Adams is simple: He can get more rebounds. Adams seemed to remember those words against Wichita State. He played with an extra burst, outmuscling taller and bigger Wichita State players and crashing the boards hard.
Dickinson explained what he saw differently from Adams in this game.
“Sometimes when he’s guarding the four man, a lot of fours a lot of days are probably out on the perimeter, and he’s probably a little bit further away from the basket,” Dickinson said. “Today, (facing) a guy who can step out and shoot but does a lot of damage inside ... I think that kind of attributed (to) some of his (extra) rebounds.
“When you’re down there, its easier to get them than when you have to come crashing down every time.”
Adams later explained that Self always wants him to aggressively pursue defensive rebounds; Adams noted it has been one of his biggest weaknesses thus far.
One reason why: When Adams gets a defensive rebound, he can turn and bring the ball up the floor. Self added that KU is at its best “when he brings it up, as far playing with pace and everything.”
Adams is aware that’s what the coaches want.
“They’ve really been kind of putting that (on me) to try to get me to rebound a little bit more,” Adams said. “So, once I get the rebound, they definitely want me to push it up and try to create open spaces and pass it to the people that get open.”
Naturally, Adams has watched a lot of NBA tape to learn how to do that.
“I like to watch Dennis Rodman a lot,” he said. “That’s kind of my favorite player when I was younger.”
Adams might not be Rodman on the boards, but there were undoubtedly some flashes of it Saturday afternoon.
Where they are most similar is their work ethic, as Rodman constantly outworked players on the floor.
So, Kansas fans, the next time you watch Rodman highlights, you can thank him for helping Adams become the player he is today.
You might see more of it moving forward.
