Davante Adams’ Basketball Roots Still Fuel His NFL Greatness
When you think about Davante Adams and his incredible NFL career, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his precise route running, his uncanny ability to separate from defenders, and his knack for making tough catches look routine. But what many people might not realize is that Adams’ football brilliance has deep roots in another sport altogether—basketball. And even now, entering his 12th NFL season, that background is still shaping the way he plays.
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Back in July, during his appearance on Inside Rams Camp , Adams was asked who he modeled his game after. Instead of naming a legendary wide receiver like Jerry Rice or Tim Brown, he surprised everyone by saying Allen Iverson . At first, it sounded unusual, but when you hear Adams explain it, it makes perfect sense. Growing up, basketball was his first love. He didn’t even return to football until his junior year of high school, so his natural instincts on the field came from the hardwood. The quick crossovers, the hesitation moves, the rhythm changes—all those Iverson-inspired habits became the foundation of his release packages in football.
Adams himself has said that his early success as a receiver felt natural because it mirrored what he already knew in basketball. Going up for a contested catch reminded him of snagging a rebound or throwing down a dunk. Even now, he admits that the way he comes off the line of scrimmage feels more like a hoop move than a football move. That unorthodox style has kept defenders off balance for more than a decade, giving him an edge even without world-class sprinter speed.
Head coach Sean McVay noticed it immediately when Adams joined the Rams. In one of the team’s welcome sessions, McVay pointed out that you can “tell he was a hooper” by the way he moves. Teammates have echoed the same sentiment, saying his game feels smooth, controlled, and unpredictable—just like a guard breaking down a defender on the court.
Adams’ journey is also about growth and leadership. Wide receivers coach Eric Yarber admitted he wasn’t sure if Adams, with all his years of experience, would still be open to coaching. But the opposite has been true. Adams not only embraces coaching but has also leaned into being a mentor for younger teammates like Puka Nacua. At first, he tried to ease into the room quietly, but Nacua himself asked Adams to take on a leadership role. That mentorship is shaping the Rams’ receiver group in real time.
Now in his 12th year, Adams is closing in on 12,000 career receiving yards and already sits in the top 10 all-time for receiving touchdowns. To him, the reason he’s lasted this long is simple: he has stayed true to his unique skill set, rooted in basketball, that makes defenders uncomfortable. Few wideouts play the game like a hooper, but Adams does—and that difference is what continues to keep him special.
Even after more than a decade, he’s proving that the lessons learned on a basketball court can still dominate on the football field. And that blend of craft, humility, and leadership is exactly why Adams isn’t just still playing—he’s still thriving.
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