Pittsburgh News, Ron Bailey

MEET CHASE ADAMS

Adams set to utilize opportunity at Pittsburgh in senior year

by RON BAILEY

August 22, 2009 – Sometimes, life gives you a bonus, those opportunities that are just icing on the cake. They seem to happen rarely, and as the old-timers say, the recipient “Must be living right”. If that adage is true, Chase Adams is just such a guy, as the 5’10”, 190 lb guard gets to play his senior year in the Big East, transferring from Summit League school Centenary. Further illustrating his boon, Chase doesn’t have to sit out a year in doing so.

How is Adams capable of doing this, something he labeled by telephone this week “a dream of mine to play at the highest level”?

“They were going to go from Division I to Division III,” revealed Chase, who averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals for Centenary last year. “They are de-emphasizing athletics and it starts this year.”

Resultantly, the NCAA ruled that Adams could transfer within Division I and be immediately eligible to play. That’s a great look for a young man who is the Summit League’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year and an all-league honorable mention selection.

Pittsburgh, according to Chase were chosen over “Marquette, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas State and Miami of Ohio” (Pitt and Texas State offered scholarships), for a variety of reasons.

“Close to home,” said Adams of the attractiveness of Pitt. “It’s a great program. The coach (Jamie Dixon), he’s had a lot of success. They have a lot of returning players, but need a little bit more experience at point guard.”

That’s sound reasoning from a well adjusted young man hailing from Columbia, Maryland’s Owen Brown section (it’s there and at Baltimore’s Mt. St. Joe’s High School that he became friends with two other Big East guys, Georgetown’s Henry Sims and future Notre Damer Eric Atkins).

A sensible approach also extends to his expectations of Pitt: “When I get there, I’ll figure it (his role) out…I’ll do whatever. I just want to win.”

During the recently concluded Jabbo Kenner League, Adams consistently played defense – not surprising given his previous Summit League recognition and comment “I’ve been known for my defense.”

Towards the end of competition with Kenner’s Clydes squad, where he teamed with Hoyas Sims and Jason Clark, Chase became offensively aggressive, including dropping 13 points in the crew’s quarterfinal playoff victory. Particularly during that contest, Adams chose to attack the cup and pull up for jumpers, eschewing the traditional point guard tactic of driving and dropping off for teammates. The Pitt faithful should have no fear, as Chase indicated “If it’s for me to drive and kick, I’ll do it”; Adams simply felt his team needed the offensive aggression, so he supplied it.

Regarding the B-East itself, Chase seems prepared: “I expect it to be tough. If not the best conference in the NCAA, it’s near the top…I’m physically ready. Mentally and physically.”

Helping inform that conclusion are previous games at Centenary, when he faced the like of “Texas, Georgia Tech, Utah State, Texas Tech, Missouri, Kansas State, LSU – a lot of SEC and Big 12 schools. I fared well against them.”

He also has experience competing with and against some of his soon-to-be teammates. “I’ve played with (B’More’s) Jermaine Dixon and with (Brad) Wannamaker. I’m familiar with Ashton Gibbs and I’m familiar with Gilbert Brown,” shared Adams.

Will that experience coupled with his physicality and a solid skill set, produce a senior season for Chase Adams that will be remembered in Pitt lore? Stay tuned for the answer, but one thing is certain, he’s going to try and make it happen. Adams will make the most of his bonus opportunity.

Extras:
Who helped Chase get to Pitt? “The Baltimore Stars (his travel team organization) – Tony Baylor and Dwayne Davis – and my coach at St. Joes, Pat Clatchey,”

How was his Kenner League experience? “It was good; good to play against pro and college athletes.”

When does his Pitt experience begin? “I leave next week (the week of 8.24).”

On his offensive game: “I feel like I have a lot of qualities in my offense – I make big shots and can drive and dish.”

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