BIO: Josh Adams was born in Parker, Colorado (USA) and developed into one of the top prep players in the state while attending Chaparral High School. As a sophomore in 2009–10, Adams averaged 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game as he began establishing himself in the Wolverines’ backcourt.

In his junior year (2010–11), Adams took a major leap forward, averaging 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He was named First-Team All-Continental League and earned Second-Team All-State honours in recognition of his breakout season.

Adams cemented his legacy during a standout senior campaign in 2011–12. He led Chaparral to the Colorado 5A state championship, hitting the game-winning shot in the title game. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals, earning First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-State, and All-Colorado honours from the Denver Post. He was also named MVP of the state tournament as he guided Chaparral to its first championship in school history.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Josh Adams made his NBL debut with the Tasmania JackJumpers at 28 years of age. He scored 20 points in his first game.

Adams was the first import signed by the JackJumpers in their debut NBL season, a move that was met with huge fanfare on the Apple Isle, even as the media and bookmakers had low expectations for the team’s prospects (multiple betting agencies gave them 400:1 odds of winning the championship).

The JackJumpers began their inaugural campaign with a win over the Brisbane Bullets but quickly hit a rough patch. Heading into Round 8, the team had secured only one more victory and sat ninth on the ladder with a 2–6 record. A season-ending injury to marquee signing Will Magnay forced head coach Scott Roth to adjust their game plan, shifting from a perimeter-focused offense to a more well-rounded approach. The adjustment paid dividends, with Tasmania winning 10 of their final 12 games to finish the regular season 17–11, claiming fifth spot on the ladder.

However, Adams and the JackJumpers’ fairy tale run wasn’t over. Thanks to the South East Melbourne Phoenix defeating the Perth Wildcats in the final game of the season, Tasmania jumped into fourth place on points percentage, edging Perth out of the playoffs.

Adams finished the regular season averaging 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, helping the JackJumpers draw the reigning champions and first-placed Melbourne United in the semi-finals—a matchup where few gave Tasmania a chance.

Melbourne took Game 1 at home 74–63, but Tasmania bounced back at home to win Game 2, leveling the series. Heading into the decisive Game 3, Tasmania received another stroke of luck when Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding was ruled out with injury. The JackJumpers seized the opportunity, winning a nail-biter 76–73 to advance to the Grand Final series.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Kings swept Illawarra 2–0 in the opposite semi-final, and maintained their strong form by winning Game 1 of the Grand Final series 95–78.

Game 2 marked the first-ever NBL Grand Final game played in Hobart, and the JackJumpers, energised by their home crowd, threw everything at Sydney. American guard Josh Adams delivered a career-best performance, erupting for 36 points. However, despite Adams’ heroics and the absence of Kings MVP Jaylen Adams (who suffered a hamstring injury and missed the remainder of the series), the Kings held firm.

Sydney prevailed 90–86 in Game 2 behind 20-point efforts from captain Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin (who shot 80% from the field), and Dejan Vasiljevic, who hit a late three-pointer to clinch the victory. The win also marked Sydney’s 12th straight road victory, setting an NBL single-season record.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
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– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022

The Kings then closed out the series in game three, ending their 17-year championship drought in front of 16,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin would combine for 45 points and 29 rebounds, and the Kings won their 19th win of their final 21 games.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2024/25
Head coach Justin Schueller entered his second season with a renewed roster focused on returning to playoff contention. Brisbane’s offseason began with the surprise jettisoning of face of the franchise Nathan Sobey, who had been with the club for seven seasons. Despite delivering one of the best years of his career in NBL24.

“Really this decision wasn’t about Nathan, but how we can continue to move forward as a club and build a true contender,” Schueller said. “We needed to lean more into our culture and bring in winners who can help us grow. We can’t shy away from Nathan’s production, but we also know there’s other areas we must improve if we want to win a championship.”

Alongside Sobey, Brisbane also farewelled Aron Baynes (retired), Chris Smith (to Japan), Shannon Scott (to Taiwan), and DJ Mitchell (to England). Mitch Norton was elevated to captain in Sobey’s absence, and the club re-signed Isaac White, Norton, Tyrell Harrison, and import forward Casey Prather. Young forward Josh Bannan also returned for his second NBL season. To refresh the squad, Brisbane added high-scoring import duo James Batemon and dynamic wing Keandre Cook. Former NBA forward Deng Adel was given another NBL opportunity, while Tohi Smith-Milner arrived via Adelaide to bolster the frontcourt. Development players Kye Savage, Tristan Devers, and Josh Kunen rounded out the roster.

Josh Adams joined Brisbane mid-season after the club was forced to replace injured point guard James Batemon. Announced on January 2, Adams signed as an import replacement for the remainder of the season.

Bullets Senior Basketball Advisor Stu Lash praised Adams’ addition, saying, “Josh is an experienced player in this league and a fearless competitor. To add someone of his talent and character at this stage of the season will undoubtedly help our position on the ladder.” Head Coach Justin Schueller echoed that sentiment, calling Adams “a dynamic player who knows how to win” and “a perfect fit” for Brisbane’s system.

Adams suited up immediately for the January 4 clash against Sydney and made an instant impact. His arrival coincided with Brisbane’s strongest run of the season. The Bullets surged to a 9–9 record by the end of December, winning five of their first seven games following Adams’ addition and briefly climbing to seventh on the ladder as they pushed for a playoff spot.

While adapting to a new system midstream, Adams delivered valuable scoring punch off the bench. His explosiveness, shot-making ability, and energy proved vital as the Bullets battled through injuries and roster turnover in the second half of the campaign.

Ultimately, Brisbane’s playoff push fell short as the injury toll mounted. The Bullets finished 12–17, eighth on the ladder, despite competitive stretches during Adams’ time in the lineup.

Across the squad, Casey Prather (21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals) delivered a career-best season, finishing third in league scoring, winning Club MVP, and earning All-NBL First Team honours. Keandre Cook (16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals) starred in his NBL debut, leading the league in steals. Tyrell Harrison (14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds) led the league in rebounding and was awarded Most Improved Player, while Josh Bannan (13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds) captured the NBL Youth Player of the Year.

Captain Mitch Norton (7.4 points and 2.9 assists) played all 29 games, earning both the Bullets’ Defensive Player and Players’ Player awards. Isaac White (6.6 points), Tohi Smith-Milner (5.1 points), Rocco Zikarsky (4.6 points), and Deng Adel (4.7 points) provided depth contributions across the campaign.

Josh Adams averaged 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across nine games for Brisbane. His best performances included a 23-point, 7-rebound, 4-assist effort against Melbourne United on January 26, a 15-point game against New Zealand on January 24, and a 14-point outing in the Round 28 clash against Adelaide.

Josh Adams played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Tasmania JackJumpers and the Brisbane Bullets. He averaged 16 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2 assists in 43 NBL games.

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