These days are good for Davante Adams, the dual sport star for the Palo Alto High Vikings of the De Anza League. He plays both basketball and football for the Vikings. As a junior shooting guard, he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists for his team that went 18-7 that ended with a semi final loss to Mitty 62-39 in the playoffs. On the gridiron, he was a star wide receiver with 500 yards and nine touchdowns in helping the Vikings to a 9-2 record that ended with a 34-6 loss to Bellarmine in the CCS playoffs.
Adams started playing basketball when he was three years old and has been the starting shooting guard since his sophomore year for the Vikings. He picked up the pigskin when he was nine years old and has been the starting wide receiver for Palo Alto High since his sophomore year. His goal for both sports is to get better as an individual and help the team in terms of wins and advancing in the playoffs.
At 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, Adams can run 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 240 pounds, squat 350 pounds, and has a vertical of 41 inches. His athleticism allows him to be either a finesse or power player depending on the circumstances.
Adams says, "If I have a big man defending me on the perimeter, then I would be more of a slasher and finesse type player. However, if I am down low with a smaller guard defending me, then that is when the power comes in to play." He compares his game to former UCLA Bruin Russell Westbrook because he is an aggressive driver with a good vertical but has a good pull up jumper.
On the basketball court, his teammates call him "The Freak" as he considers his best moves to be jumping because he can grab more rebounds with his vertical ability. During the summer, he has been playing with his Roadrunners summer club to work on his dribbling and perimeter shot. Roadrunners Coach Curtis Haggins says, "Davante is very athletic and he can get to the rim. Davante does not have to shoot a lot of shots to be effective on the court. He can finish at the rim with power."
Adams teamed up with Lydell Cardwell of Mid-Peninsula High to cause some damage during the summer with the Roadrunners as they won the Coca-Cola Nationals in Anaheim and went undefeated in the inaugural NCAA-sanctioned Nor Cal Summer Tip Off at City College of San Francisco.
On the football field, his teammates call him "The Truth" as he considers his versatility and pass catching skills to be his strengths. During the summer, he has been working on his route running and timing with his quarterback. Adams compares his route running to that of former Miami Hurricane Santana Moss.
Even though Adams does not know which sport he wants to play in college, coaches continue to contact him. Eastern Washington, Fresno State, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Portland State, Santa Clara, UC Riverside, and Weber State are interested in having him on their hard court. Eastern Washington, Montana State, Nevada-Reno, NCU, Portland State, and San Diego State want him running pass routes. Only San Diego State has offered a scholarship for football. Adams has not made any official visits and has Santa Clara as his favorite for basketball because of the constant communication with them. For football, his current favorite is San Diego State because he likes their program and they are very interested in him.
Adams does not know what he wants to major in college but English is his best subject. This Viking has overcome past injuries to be in his current situation. During those trying times, he was dependent on his family and social network. As a result, he does prefer staying close to home.
Coach Haggins says, "Off the court he is a great kid who is very respectable and a good friend. He carries himself in a mature manner and he is pretty laid back. He is definitely a leader both on and off the court."
Look for Adams to put up some freakish numbers in both sports during this upcoming season.
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