BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Born and raised in McComb, Miss., Brian “Wanky” Adams, the No. 18^th ranked high school basketball player in the nation in 1995-96, grew up as the only child to Carolyn Adams Campbell and Walter Campbell. Adams attended North Pike School District in South Mississippi through the 8th grade before transferring to play for Coach John Neal at Piney Woods Country Life School, where he discovered his passion for basketball.
 
Learning at an early age what it would take to become one of the greatest, Adams arrived on the campus of the co-ed independent historically African American boarding school and began his quest. With the school having never won a championship and coming off his first All-Star game at a Southern Mississippi Basketball Camp, Adams knew that it would take focus and hard work in the gym to quickly become successful.
 
With that mindset, Adams concluded his sophomore season leading the Tornadoes to its first ever Class 2A State Championship in 1994. Unsatisfied with the accolades achieved his sophomore season, Adams spearheaded the team to another State Championship, which propelled Piney Woods to its first ever No. 1 ranking in the State of Mississippi. Also, that season, Adams was named Clarion-Ledger Metro Player of the Year, while being named Clarion-Ledger First Team All-State and to the USA Today All-State Team.
 
After claiming a second State Championship, Adams became one of the top high school basketball recruits in the nation by Lindy’s Magazine in a senior class that included several notable names: Lester Earl at No. 1; Tim Thomas at No. 2; the late Kobe Bryant at No. 3; Jermaine O’Neal at No. 4; Mike Bibby at No. 9; and Stephen Jackson at No. 17.
 
By this time, Adams was being highly recruited by Clemson, Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, and Alcorn State. Feeling turned off by the way Power 5 institutions approached him, Adams declined an in-home visit from in-state powerhouse Mississippi State, a team that had just concluded a final four appearance, and eventually committed in August to Alcorn State.
 
“When I would go to camps, I felt that the bigger school coaches tried to force me to commit,” stated Adams. “While being recruited by all the schools, Coach Sam Weaver (Alcorn State) stayed persistent and the vibe always felt genuine being around him. Also, my mom went to Alcorn. Coach Weaver recruited me, but I ended up playing for Coach Dave Whitney.”
 
Going into his senior season as a Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen, Adams knew that the pressure was on to continue success in the classroom and on the court as his team captured a third Class 2A State title. Adams became a Consensus Top 50 player in America and was again named to the USA Today All-State Team, while being named Clarion-Ledger First Team All-State once more.
 
Adams felt snubbed after not being selected to the McDonald’s High School All-American game and named Mr. Basketball in the State of Mississippi.
 
“I really felt slighted by both committees because for a guy with all these great accolades not being selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American game nor be named Mr. Basketball in the State, I knew something was wrong,” stated Adams. “But I was excited to hear that my boy, Quentin Smith received the honor instead. He was great as well and went on to play for Mississippi State.”
 
Known for his athleticism, rebounding, passing, and long-range shooting abilities, Adams quickly shined his freshman season on campus, being named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and to the conference’s All-Rookie Team in 1997. Adams concluded his freshman season with 11.7 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and held a .530 field goal percentage. Adams excelled and accepted an invitation to The Michael Jordan Basketball Camp before entering his junior season.
 
The first day of practice, Adams broke his foot but decided to rejoin his team. After coming back, Adams helped boost the Braves to a SWAC Tournament title and a Black College National Championship, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament West Regional in Seattle, Wash. in 1999. Alcorn State also captured back-to-back regular season titles in 1999 and 2000.
 
Following college, Adams traveled overseas to play professionally in Germany, Portugal, and Norway, before returning to the states to begin working with Elite Level Players at Driven Elite with former Alcornite and long-time friend, Donald Driver.
 
Adams was named to the Alcorn State Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and is currently, serving as Director of Player Development with Driven Elite. Adams will be featured in a film that will be released in March 2021 titled, UNTHINKABLE “The Brian Adams Story of HBCU Glory”.             
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
 
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
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