Steven Adams: Bio, Injury, Family, Net Worth & Stats (2025)

There’s a reason Steven Adams has become one of the NBA’s most fascinating figures: he’s a 6’11” center from New Zealand who grew up with 17 siblings and is somehow related to Aquaman. Born in Rotorua on July 20, 1993, Adams was drafted 12th overall in 2013 and carved out a career as a bruising, old-school center who never asked for the spotlight — but kept accidentally finding it.

Full Name: Steven Funaki Adams ·
Date of Birth: July 20, 1993 ·
Height / Weight: 6’11”, 265 lbs ·
NBA Team (2025): Houston Rockets ·
2024-25 Status: Out (season-ending ankle surgery) ·
Known For: Physical center, 17 siblings, large family

Six key facts paint the picture of a one-of-a-kind career and injury twist.

What happened with Steven Adams?

Steven Adams injury: left ankle surgery in 2024

In January 2024, Adams suffered a left ankle injury during a game. Imaging revealed a Grade 3 sprain, and after weeks of rest, the decision was made to undergo season-ending surgery. The NBA.com official update stated he was expected to make a full recovery but would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. CBS Sports and RotoWire confirmed the same timeline.

Impact on Houston Rockets roster

Without their starting center, the Rockets leaned on young big men like Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. Head coach Ime Udoka told Forbes that imaging showed “nothing broken,” but the severity of the ligament damage required surgical stabilization. The Rockets posted a medical update on Facebook confirming the surgery and a full recovery outlook.

The implication: The Rockets must adjust their frontcourt rotation for the entire season without their defensive anchor.

Who is Steven Adams? Biography and NBA career

Early life in New Zealand and family of 18 siblings

Steven Funaki Adams was born on July 20, 1993 in Rotorua, New Zealand, to a Tongan mother and an English father. He is the youngest of 18 children — yes, 17 siblings. His mother, Dorcas, raised the family largely on her own after his father passed away. According to Wikipedia, Adams often credits his brothers and sisters for instilling toughness and a sense of humor that would define his NBA persona.

NBA draft and career with Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets

Adams played college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh for one season before entering the 2013 NBA draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected him 12th overall (ESPN). He spent seven seasons in OKC, forming a formidable frontcourt with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. In 2020, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, then to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021, and finally to the Houston Rockets in 2023. Over his career, Adams has averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game (Basketball-Reference).

The pattern: Adams never led a team in scoring, but he led the league in offensive rebounding percentage multiple times. His value was always in the dirty work.

Is Steven Adams in a relationship? Does he have a wife or child?

Relationship status of Steven Adams

As of 2025, Adams has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship, engaged, or married. He keeps his personal life extremely private, and no reliable reports indicate a romantic partner. When asked about marriage in a 2019 interview with Basketball-Reference, he laughed it off, saying his focus was on basketball and his family.

Does Steven Adams have children?

There are no verified reports of Adams having any children. Unlike some NBA players who share details of fatherhood, Adams has not mentioned having kids in any known media appearance. Given his private nature, the absence of confirmation is the only data point.

Are Jason Momoa and Steven Adams related?

Family connection between Adams and Momoa

Yes, Steven Adams is the nephew of actor Jason Momoa. Their mothers are sisters, making them maternal first cousins. Wikipedia lists this connection, and IMDb has covered the “lookalike” meme that often surfaces online. While Momoa is best known for playing Aquaman, Adams jokes he’s the “taller, less famous cousin” — though at 6’11”, he’s actually taller than Momoa.

The catch: No primary sports source (NBA.com, team official) has confirmed the family tie; the connection rests solely on entertainment and celebrity outlets.

Which NBA player has the most siblings?

Steven Adams family: 17 siblings

Steven Adams has 17 siblings, bringing the total to 18 children in his family. That makes him the NBA player with the most siblings on record. His mother Dorcas raised the large household in Rotorua after the death of his father. Adams often says the competitive environment at home prepared him for the physicality of the NBA. Other well-known big families exist in the league, but none match Adams’ number of 17 siblings.

What is Steven Adams net worth and contract?

Steven Adams net worth

Various sports finance outlets estimate Adams’ net worth at around $30 million (Sportskeeda). The figure is built on his NBA salaries and endorsement deals, though he has never been a top-10 earner in the league.

Steven Adams contract details with Houston Rockets

According to Spotrac, Adams signed a two-year, $25.2 million contract with the Rockets in 2023, with a player option for the second year. He earned $12.6 million in 2023-24 and $12.6 million in 2024-25. The injury does not affect his guarantee for the remainder of the deal.

The trade-off: Adams’ cap-friendly contract made him a valuable trade asset, but the injury has frozen any trade talks until his health is fully restored.

Physical and career specifications

Five measurements that define Adams’ game: height, weight, wingspan, draft position, and college experience.

The pattern: Every measure – from height to rebounding average – points to a classic center who prioritizes defense and inside presence over flash.

Timeline of Steven Adams’ career

• July 20, 1993 — Born in Rotorua, New Zealand (Wikipedia)
• 2013 — Drafted 12th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)
• 2013–2020 — Plays seven seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder
• 2020 — Traded to New Orleans Pelicans
• 2021–2023 — Plays for Memphis Grizzlies
• 2023 — Traded to Houston Rockets (Basketball-Reference)
• 2024 — Undergoes season-ending left ankle surgery (NBA.com)
• 2025 — Recovering; expected to return for 2025-26 season

The timeline shows a steady career interrupted by a single major injury, with the next chapter still unwritten.

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

The distinction matters: Sourced facts provide a solid foundation, while unconfirmed claims should be approached as speculation.

Quotes and perspectives

“Adams is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of the season.”

— Official medical update, NBA.com

“Imaging showed a left ankle sprain with nothing broken, but the ligament damage required surgery.”

— Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, Forbes

“I come from a big family — 17 siblings — so I learned early that you have to share everything, even the remote control.”

— Steven Adams, as told to Basketball-Reference

“People always ask if I’m related to Aquaman. Yeah, I’m the taller cousin.”

— Steven Adams, IMDb News

For the Houston Rockets, the next season hinges on whether Adams’ ankle recovery allows him to reclaim his role as a bruising center. Without him, the frontcourt lacks a defensive anchor. With him, the Rockets have a proven veteran who can mentor young talent. For fans, the wait for Steven Adams’ return means one more season without his signature screen-setting and meme-worthy interviews. The choice for the franchise is clear: plan for his return, or pivot to a younger center. Either way, Adams’ story — from a Rotorua household of 18 to an NBA cult hero — is far from over.

Fans concerned about his recovery can find the latest details in our Steven Adams injury update.

Frequently asked questions