Kiwis that have cracked it in American sport

Sean Marks (l), Steven Adams (C) and Ryan Nelsen. Photo / Getty Images.

Today Steven Adams became the latest Kiwi to crack into the American big leagues.

After being selected by the Oklahoma Thunder as the 12th pick of the 2013 NBA draft, the Pittsburgh freshman made headlines from Auckland to Austin, and is now tasked with the job of turning off-court potential into on-court success.

Adams isn't the first New Zealander to crack into the top tier of American sport, and today we take a look at five Kiwis who turned their New Zealand talent into US success.

Five Kiwis that made it in American sport:

Riki Ellison - NFL
Ellison became the first Kiwi to play in the NFL when he was selected up by the San Francisco 49ers as the 117th pick of the 1983 draft. The linebacker went on to win three super bowls during his seven years with the 49ers, before finishing his career with three seasons at the Los Angeles Raiders.

David Dixon - NFL
Dixon played eleven professional seasons in the NFL after being picked by the New England Patriots in the ninth round of the 1992 draft. The 156kg, 1.96m guard won a championship ring with the Dallas Cowboys as part of their practice squad in 1993.
Dixon eventually settled with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played 152 games over 10 seasons.

Ryan Nelsen - Soccer
Nelsen started his illustrious professional football career in the USA after being scooped by D.C. United as the fourth pick of the 2001 MLS Superdraft.

After earning a spot in the starting lineup in 2002, Nelsen was named team captain in 2003 and won the MLS Cup with DC in 2004 before being sold to Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League.

After retiring from playing earlier this year, the former All Whites captain took up a coaching role in the MLS with Toronto FC, where he currently works.

Scott Dixon - IndyCar
Kiwi Scott Dixon has put together one of the most impressive resumes in IndyCar racing.

He's tied with Rick Mears for 10th on the career victory list, and another three wins would push him past Dario Franchitti and Sebastien Bourdais as the active driver with the most wins.

Dixon moved to the US in 1999 and has enjoyed 15 years of success, highlighted by winning the Indy 500 in 2008, the Indy Lights title in 200 and the IndyCar series in 2003 and 2008.

Sean Marks - Basketball
Auckland born Marks was drafted by the New York Knicks as the 44th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft.

He went on to play 11 season in the NBA representing the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers and won an NBA Championship with the Spurs in 2005.

After hanging up his sneakers two years ago, Marks, 37, made the move from the front court into the front office, landing a job as basketball operations assistant for the Spurs.