Feb. 11, 2002
The average height of the 10 Southeastern Conference leading shot blockers is 6-4. Someone forgot to tell that to Rita Adams.
Adams, standing at 5-8, is the leading shot blocker for the Wildcats for the second straight season with 11 blocks. More shocking, at almost a foot shorter than Vanderbilt’s 6-6 All-America candidate Chantelle Anderson, Adams is averaging only one block a game less than the Vandy center.
“I don’t see my height as a disadvantage at all,” Adams said. “I use other aspects of the game, like my speed and jumping ability, to make up for it.”
Adams’ impressive vertical leap isn’t the only thing setting her apart from her teammates and competitors. Grabbing 3.6 steals a game, Adams not only leads UK in the category, but the SEC as well. She ranks 14th nationally in steals per game. Her 11.3 points per game is good for second on the squad and her 5.6 assists per contest leads the team as well.
“I knew coming into this year that we needed people to step up and produce,” Adams said. “As a veteran, I knew I was going to have to be one of the players.”
Another stat that makes Adams unique is her age. As one of only two players who has been on the team for at least three years, Adams is the lone junior for UK this season.
“College basketball can be tough, both physically and mentally,” Adams said. “L.T. (senior LaTonya McDole) and I have stuck with this program through the good and the bad. We know what it takes to win at this level because we’ve been there. It’s our job to help the younger players get ready to compete and show them how to win.”
Adams may not have the height of a center, but she definitely has the heart of a leader. That is something to stand tall about.The average height of the 10 Southeastern Conference leading shot blockers is 6-4. Someone forgot to tell that to Rita Adams.
Adams, standing at 5-8, is the leading shot blocker for the Wildcats for the second straight season with nine blocks. More shocking, at almost a foot shorter than Vanderbilt’s 6-6 All-America candidate Chantelle Anderson, Adams is averaging only one block a game less than the Vandy center.
“I don’t see my height as a disadvantage at all,” Adams said. “I use other aspects of the game, like my speed and jumping ability, to make up for it.”
Adams’ impressive vertical leap isn’t the only thing setting her apart from her teammates and competitors. Grabbing 3.6 steals a game, Adams not only leads UK in the category, but the SEC as well. She is ranks 14th nationally in steals per game. Her 11.3 points per game is good for second on the squad and her 5.6 assists per contest leads the team as well.
“I knew coming into this year that we needed people to step up and produce,” Adams said. “As a veteran, I knew I was going to have to be one of the players.”
Another stat that makes Adams unique is her age. As one of only two players who has been on the team for at least three years, Adams is the lone junior for UK this season.
“College basketball can be tough, both physically and mentally,” Adams said. “L.T. (senior LaTonya McDole) and I have stuck with this program through the good and the bad. We know what it takes to win at this level because we’ve been there. It’s our job to help the younger players get ready to compete and show them how to win.”
Adams may not have the height of a center, but she definitely has the heart of a leader. That is something to stand tall about.
