Destiny Adams
Destiny Adams competes at the 2019 USA Basketball U16 national team trials. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
COLORADO SPRINGS -- There’s a difference between versatility and not having a position. For Destiny Adams it’s versatility that is still developing. The 6-foot-3 prospect from Whiting, New Jersey, is off to a good start at the USA Basketball U16 national team trials.
With a host of small guard options, her play on the perimeter combined with her size makes her one of the most intriguing players in the field. Her handle, athleticism and ability to play in transition all bode well for her being able to play multiple positions.
Is she a guard?
A wing?
A forward?
She’s a player.
The first comparison that comes to mind is Breanna Beal, the 2019 South Carolina signee from Rock Island, Illinois. The evolution that is in the works for Adams is mastering her interior play so she can play the power forward or stretch forward and punish smaller defenders. If she can stay with it there’s a chance that she can become an elite player like Beal was.
“I’ve always played a guard. I always play the outside driving in to take my player one-on-one but now that I play for Exodus my coach makes me take out the ball, trail the point guard so now I play inside. I think it’s good for me to learn both positions, it really helps my versatility.”
Adams is also a good communicator on the floor. Her willingness to talk to her teammates and encourage them is a sign of good leadership qualities in the works.
“I think since I was always the youngest player on my AAU teams, I always played two years up with my sister, I have always been a leader because I was also the best player on the team so I had to step up, help out my team and push them to be better. I think the leader trait just comes naturally.”
The tools are there and she’s competing hard for one of just 12 roster spots on this squad.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNED events. He can be reached at chris@eliteisearned.com.
