Andrew Johnsen: Steven Adams shows another path for talented NZ athletes

Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams is a great role model for young New Zealanders, showing that sport can lead to a high quality education. Joe Murphy/Getty Images

You can't miss Steven Adams. Even if you don't see the visual cues of the 2.13m behemoth with a sleeve tattoo and caveman-like hair, his Kiwi accent and his hilarious sound bites have made him stand out off the basketball court.

But it's on the court where this New Zealander is making his biggest mark, and has now set himself apart from the country's sporting elite.

It's odd coming from a country where rugby is a religion and cricket is in an eternal love/hate relationship to have a basketballer as our highest paid sportsman.

The four-year, $140m extension he just signed has put some distance between the Oklahoma City Thunder centre and everyone else.

To put it in perspective Daniel Carter, the best first-five ever in rugby, is on $1.1m a season in France.

Adams is on the verge of a breakout season after the departures of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka have left him the number two option on the Thunder.

The casual observer may think Adams isn't worth the money, but you have to look beyond the box score to see why he is already regarded as one of the best centres in the league.

Career averages of 6.3 points, six rebounds and a block per game don't exactly scream "star player".

But if you looked at his performance in last year's playoffs, you start to see why he is so highly regarded.

Adams averaged 10.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, shot 61 per cent from the floor and had moments of brilliance against the Golden State Warriors. While he's not the shooter Ibaka was, it was clear that Adams was becoming a better defender.

In a small-ball dominated league, Adams' ability to defend on the perimeter allowed him to help against Golden State's smaller lineups.

His toughness is second-to-none (his battle with Golden State's Draymond Green was bruising to say the least), possibly a product of growing up in New Zealand with a huge - not just in stature - family. His work ethic: exemplary.

The price tag could go to his head, but his humble character shouldn't allow this to happen.

Now he has a leading role as OKC combat the controversial loss of former MVP Durant. His price tag shows the immense faith his franchise has in him and he is already paying them back on the hardwood.

In just three games this season, there has already been an increase in offensive production and he has shown the ability to lead a defensive unit.

Beyond the court, he is much beloved in both his adopted home and the country that raised him.

Steven Adams is usually swamped by media wanting one of his trademark soundbites. Layne Murdoch/Getty Images

A walking sound-bite, his humble Kiwi attitude and dry wit has made him a media darling.

More importantly though, he has shone the light on another pathway to success for New Zealand's youth.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association requires certain academic standards to be met in order to be eligible to play. Adams reached them.

Even if he hadn't made it to the NBA, a university education would have set him up to be successful off the court.

A sporting career, as glamorous as it is shown to be, lasts 10 years if you're lucky. There are only so many roles in coaching and the media for players to progress into across any sport so an education is paramount.

With sports where scholarships to impressive academic institutions are available, a path of both sporting and educational development is laid.

Adams hit the jackpot by making the NBA, and inadvertently turned the basketball eye to little old Aotearoa. This opens the door for young athletes to head to America and not only have the opportunity to try make the NBA, but gain a university education.

That $140m cheque does more than line the pockets of a budding basketball star in Adams; it opens the door to another life path for NZ athletes.