Coming Home: Destiny Adams's Family Connection Brings Her Back to New Jersey
Jun 30 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – When Destiny Adams made the decision to continue her collegiate career at Rutgers, she elected to return back to the state she called home for the first 18 years of her life. New Jersey.
When Adams, a Manchester, New Jersey-native, made the decision to transfer from the University of North Carolina after two seasons, she took great pride in the opportunity to play for her home State University.
"It means a lot," Adams said. "Playing for New Jersey when you grew up here, it's something that many people can't really do. I'm blessed to be one that can come here."
Who else can't wait to see Destiny Adams reppin' NJ this season 🤩#GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/FNUVNe0kAH
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) June 16, 2023
Not only was the prospect of returning to the Garden State appealing to Adams, but the chance to help a program with a new coaching staff and a new vision was also enticing for the junior transfer.
"I knew I saw the vision that the coaching staff has for this team, and I just wanted to be a part of it," Adams added. "This is a program that is going to grow and shock a lot of people. To be able to help bring everybody back and help put Rutgers back to where it was before, that really means a lot to me. That's something that I really wanted to be a part of."
On Adams's recruiting visit, it became immediately clear to her that Coquese Washington and her staff were building a championship culture "On The Banks" which could be seen in all assets of the program, including the assembly of the current roster.
"The team is made up of all great ladies in general, and we all have the same vision," Adams said. "We are all working to be a better all-around team. This group's dedication and hard work is really enjoyable to be around."
However, it wasn't only the basketball, staff and teammates that attracted Adams to become a Scarlet Knight, but also getting to be closer to her own family.
An important part of both Adams's life on and off the court is her father, Dennis Adams. Not only has he been one of her biggest supporters but also served as her coach from when she was just four years old to her sophomore year in high school.
"I would be nowhere without my dad," Adams said. "I'd really have to give him credit for everything. I admire him so much in the game of basketball. I think that without him, I wouldn't be half as good as I actually am. I think that he knew how to coach me in the right way. He understood how I needed to be coached. He pushed me as much as he pushed everybody else. He didn't treat me any differently."
Both Adams and her father played at Manchester High School and became the first father-daughter duo to reach 1,000 points, respectively, during their four years. However, Adams took it one step further, making it her goal to outscore her dad's 1,466 points during her career. She did that and more, netting 2,010 points by the end of her senior year.
After high school, Adams's father went onto play college basketball at Muhlenberg and continued into the pro's, competing in Ireland.
Not only did Adam's father serve as her coach growing up, but also her principal all four years at Manchester High School.
"It actually was really special, having him as my principal the whole time I was in high school," said Adams. "He would come to practices and watch. It was kind of like he was still coaching me maybe a little bit from the sidelines, but not. I compare every coach that I've ever had to him. That's how much I really enjoyed playing for him. It was hard for me to stop playing for him and switch to the EYBL circuit. I didn't really want to let go of him coaching me."
Adams's siblings were also a huge part of her journey to playing college basketball. Her older sister Dakota played at Rowan while her brother Darius is currently playing in high school.
While her brother is making his own waves in the high school basketball world and going through his own process as a highly recruited player, Adams couldn't be prouder watching him succeed.
"He's my best friend," said Adams. "I'm really at a loss for words with what he's doing. I'm so proud of him. I think that he's really grown so much and I'm happy that he's finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He's put in so much work since we were young and now it's just crazy to see him grow up and like grow into this this big thing."
Adams and her siblings were constantly together, and basketball became a core part of their bond. Whether they were playing pickup at their house or watching each other compete on the hardwood, they were always there for one another.
That strong connection can be attributed to Adams's parents, Dennis and Lisa Adams.
"When we were younger, they used to make us go to each other's games no matter what, which I really admire my parents for," Adams added. "If my sister had a basketball game, we would all have to go. My brother had one we would all have to go. So, my first two years of college, everybody still watched. My brother would watch whether it was on his phone or, if he was home, he would watch it on TV. My sisters would all watch and after the game we would all text in the group chat. That was the support system I needed being so far from home and it was really nice to know that even though I was gone, they were still watching."
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