AUSTIN (KXAN) - Athletes that can play at the collegiate level and beyond generally have pride in where they grew up. That's not just true but an understatement with basketball standouts from Austin.
One of the crown jewels of central Texas hoops over the past few years is KJ Adams. The former Westlake Chaparral is set to begin his senior campaign with the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball program.
"Just having a chip on their shoulder," said Adams about what is different about players from Austin. "Especially with me being from Westlake with a lot of other basketball players that came through just letting them know that we're pretty good too."
Other standouts from the area, like Dylan Disu and Armoni Brooks, have hosted camps in years past. Saturday was the first time Adams has had his name alongside a camp back home and it is clearly something special for him.
"It's just emotional," said Adams. "Especially coming from around these areas and going to Westlake and being around these kids. It means a lot because I was in their shoes doing the same type of thing going to these camps."
Adams elected to come back for a fourth season in Lawrence, Kansas. Already having accomplished immense personal and team success, the former Westlake star spoke about his focus this upcoming season.
"Just being a team player. We're pretty loaded this year. There's a lot of good players. So just being that role guy, trying to get them the ball. And also do my own thing, try to hit the midrange a little bit. Maybe shoot a couple threes."
While Kansas stayed in the same conference, realignment has still affected them. Four new teams entered the conference while two others, including the hometown Texas Longhorns, exited.
"Of course I'm going to miss playing the Longhorns. I always liked playing them. I liked coming home and playing at home...I'm going to miss playing [former Westlake teammate and Texas Longhorn] Brock [Cunningham]. I would never have thought for three years I would be playing against him. He got a little old right there."
