High Expectations: The Career of Alton Adams (College Hoops/NBA2k)

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

This is going to be a story of an NCAA prospect with NBA potential, Alton Adams. Inspired by the fantastic Andy McCutcheon story by trekfan (although this will focus on a player instead of a GM), this dynasty will have more of an emphasis on the storylines behind everything, more so than the results of individual games. There will be a mix of news stories and glimpses into the life of Adams. My hope is this will create more of an engaging, interesting read than most stories on here.

I've downloaded some decent, although not perfect rosters for College Hoops 2k8 for the upcoming 2012-13 basketball season, and randomized a team that Alton will go to. Eventually, I'll create him in a 2k13 draft class and his career will be continued in the NBA.

I will be using simulation to move through seasons quickly, although I may play games here or there when I see fit. Obviously, I'll be controlling the entire team when I do play, but this will focus on Alton. I won't be making any GM decisions except for the purpose of moving the story along. Enjoy!

(Note: any depictions or descriptions of real life NCAA/NBA players, coaches, or personnel is entirely fictionalized for the purposes of this story.)

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

Player Profile: Alton Adams, SG, California

Strengths: At 6'6'', 200lbs, Adams is nearly at an NBA ready size and should be able to outmuscle smaller guards in the post, where he is very effective for his age. Adams is a great shooter from inside the arc and a decent from outside of it. He has phenomenal court vision and his hustle allows him to come up with many rebounds. He is a solid on-ball defender with potential for growth due to his long wingspan.

Weaknesses: Despite his solid defense, he tends to over-commit to pump fakes and has the tendency to focus too much on steals. Adams has also been known to need the ball to be effective, making him less of a great fit around an established PG or SF. In high school, he was also known for trying to play hero ball even when he wasn't shooting well.

Overall: Adams is the number three recruit in the class behind Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammad, and if he reaches his potential in college should be a top 5 pick in the 2013 or 2014 NBA Draft.

College Choices: Adams has been courted heavily by five schools: Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, and UCLA. Kentucky and UNC seem to be in the lead, with UCLA at a close third with an outside shot for a commitment.

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

Got 'Em: Alton Adams to attend UK
April 20, 2012

University of Kentucky coach John Calipari has to be ecstatic. At a pep rally in his home town of Los Angeles, CA, Alton Adams made a verbal commitment. He's going to come to Lexington to play for the current NCAA champion Wildcats.

After locking up Nerlens Noel last week, Kentucky has signed it's second top three recruit. Kentucky looks to be re-tooling for a repeat after it will be losing most of its top talent to the NBA.

"It's been a tough choice," Adams said to reporters afterward, Wildcats hat on his head. "But I feel like Kentucky can help me reach my goals. Since I was young, I've always wanted to be in the NBA. Look at their squad from this season - they're all going pro next year. Kentucky will help me raise my game to the next level! Can't wait for the season to start this fall."

Adams has yet to officially sign with the Wildcats, but that seems to be a formality at this point according to sources around the star guard, who declined offers from UCLA, Duke, UNC and Louisville to come to Lexington.

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

May 1, 2012 - Los Angeles, California

"I think I've made a mistake, man," Alton Adams said, swishing a three pointer.

Alton and his friend, Mike, were at the park shooting around after school. "What do you mean?" Mike replied.

"Kentucky...I should have picked UCLA."

"UCLA? Seriously? They haven't been relevant in years. Kentucky won it all this year. You've committed!"

"Verbally. Shabazz Muhammad...me...on the same squad? That could be huge for my image. We could win it all with me and him on the wings. There's still time to change my mind"

Mike just shook his head. Alton could never go with his first choice. He was always second guessing himself. "Go with your heart, man. Just know a lot of people are going to be disappointed in you over in Kentucky."

Alton smiled before sinking another J. "It's going to be hard for people to get angry at me when I get going this year. I'll think about it."

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

Surprise! Alton Adams changes his mind, will be a Bruin
May 5, 2012

When Alton Adams verbally committed to Kentucky a few short weeks ago, no one expected that he would change his mind. Kentucky has been a great basketball team the past few years, and has a rich history. The team just won a championship and has one of the best coaches in the nation. But Adams ignored all those expectations and de-committed from the school. But it wasn't Duke or UNC where he chose to attend.

Adams will be a Bruin, joining number one recruit Shabazz Muhammad to form one of the best SG/SF combinations in all of college hoops. Adams is keeping his 30 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 5 assist per game averages in the city of angels. The Bruins haven't been consistently relevant since 2006-08, when they reached the Final 4 three years in a row.

"It was a tough choice," Adams said to reporters outside his Los Angeles home. "But in the end, I had to make it, for my career and my family. This team could be something special with Shabazz and I taking care of the scoring load. We could break records. We could win the championship."

UCLA fans don't need to fear - Alton has put a pen to paper this time and is officially committed to the Bruins.

"We're excited, without a doubt," said Bruins coach Ben Howland, whose job has been said to be on the line as of late. "We're expecting huge things out of these two guys."

The entire city of Lexington seems to be in an uproar, with comments ranging from "We don't need him, anyways," to "Wow, what an ego. I hope his career fails. He'll let UCLA down just like he let us down."

Alton Adams will begin the season under fire for his choice, and only his play will be able to turn away the amount of scrutiny he'll be under in LA when the season starts."

[AdamMorrisonHOF]

October 2012 - Los Angeles, California

Alton Adams didn't like Shabazz Muhammad.

It might've been the way he always wanted the ball in practice, or maybe it was the way the coaches seemed to cater to his every need. It seemed like there was a long way from the #1 and #3 recruits in the nation, at least on this team.

I should have gone to Kentucky, he thought to himself as Muhammad tripped him up in practice to get a wide open lay-up with no notice from the coaching staff. I don't think Nerlens would want the ball this much.

About every other scrimmage, Coach put Shabazz and Alton on separate teams. This led to several confrontations and near-fights. Alton and Shabazz both wanted to be the man and lead the team. Their personalities had been clashing constantly throughout the several weeks of practice they had already completed. The rivalry didn't show any signs of stopping.

If UCLA was going to succeed as a team and win anything this year, they would have to learn to tolerate each other in game, even if they couldn't do it in practice.

[trekfan]

Nicely done, man. Really like the take you have going on so far ... looking forward to more.