Photo by: Garrett Becker
Amin Adamu Grows Into Steadying Force for Bobcat Men's Basketball
3/4/2022 9:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Montana State senior guard played his first two years of college basketball at two junior college, but has since become a focal point of the program in Bozeman over the last three years
For the city of Bozeman to become home over the past three years would have most likely been a surprise to Amin Adamu when he first arrived to the home of Montana State University in the summer of 2019. His first two years of college in America had brought him to two different junior colleges, and in an era where transferring to the next Division I program isn't as frowned upon as it once was, another destination after a season spent at MSU could have been on the table.
Instead of another temporary stay in a college town, Adamu made the most of his time in Bozeman and in turn has helped elevate the Bobcat men's basketball program.
Adamu arrived to the States from his home in London, England, and began his basketball career at the junior college level. He spent a season at Western Wyoming Community College and averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game. A coaching change there resulted in Adamu transferring to Casper College for his sophomore season. Alongside current Montana State Assistant Dan Russell, who was at the helm of Casper College in 2018-19, the Thunderbirds went 32-3 and won their first NJCAA Region IX Championship in 23 years.
The team success and numbers he produced individually, averaging over 15 points and 4 rebounds per game at Casper College, gave him an opportunity to reach the Division I level. He initially was reluctant on having to move a third time in less than three years in a new country, but circumstances eventually helped make the move an easier transition.
"I felt it was kind of hard to deal with," Adamu said when he was first contemplating his next school choice. "I didn't want to leave my JUCO schools each time that I did. I only had to leave because of the circumstances. My first school, my head coach left, then at my second JUCO it's just part of the process going through two years at that level.
"I had a good year, the team had a good year, and being close to coach Russell and knowing he was coming here, it ended up making my decision a lot easier. I knew I'd be looked over. The transition was definitely interesting for me, but it ended up working out at the end of the day."
Another step on his journey in America wasn't going to be easy.
Adamu noted the physicality of the game of basketball in America was his first adjustment. His next one at Montana State would be handling the rigors and expectations of being a Division I student-athlete.
It wasn't a transition that was all positive for the now Bobcat senior guard.
"I'm more proud of his growth off the court," said Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle. "I had to be really hard on him his first year. We had a meeting after his first two months about sending him back to London. At that time, he just needed to have some discipline. We knew how talented he was and how good of a kid he off the floor. He just had never been held accountable. Once we had that conversation, he's been at another level ever since."
His first season at Montana State continued to feature the big numbers on his stat line that he saw at the junior college level. He averaged 11.7 points on 45.5% shooting along with 5.2 rebounds per outing. Most of his work was done inside the arc as he hit six 3-pointers in 29 games.
But what Adamu worked on most was the stuff behind the scenes, the things others not around him on a daily basis miss out on.
"Every year he has taken another step or notch in terms of maturity," Russell said. "Academically he's really made a step, basketball wise he's grown a ton. I think he's grown the most socially, just in terms of him growing to be comfortable in his own skin and coming to peace in who he is. That's probably that's where I've seen the most maturation."
His progress in all areas of life have translated to the type of player he is on it.
Adamu has improved his field goal percentage every season of his college career at Montana State. Though he's taking less shots, he's still averaging over 11 points per game while he's become a better distributor. Adamu has become a threat from deep as this season he has made 20 of his 53 3-point attempts for a 37.7% mark. He's also one of MSU's leaders on the court now as an upperclassman and playing in his third year in the program.
"He's slowed down on the court," Sprinkle said. "He's continued to get better. You can see all the work he's done with how well he shoots the basketball now. That's self made."
That progress on the court was able to be made because of the work he's done on himself off of it.
"Off the floor really," Adamu said when he was asked where he thought he's improved most over the last three years. "I feel like I'm more mature around people, around my professors, being able to communicate with them so I know what I'm doing, and just being more prepared with my classes.
"On the floor, I've been open to just listening to my coaches more. They have the answers to a lot of things and trying to argue with them never goes well, so I think I've matured quite a bit. I think I've been composed and confident in myself a lot more."
Adamu noted his relationships with both Russell and Jubrile Belo were significant factors in him getting to Montana State. His friendship with Belo, which has spanned since their days of dreaming of playing Division I basketball in high school, he said has been a blessing to have during his time as a Bobcat. Adamu pointed out the multiple people that have helped him work on himself such as his teammates, his coaches and the community members he's gotten to know.
His development in his rapport with those around him has made him a fan favorite for those that attend basketball games in Worthington Arena.
"It's been fun to watch his growth," Russell said. "He had a long way to go in all three aspects and he's answered the bell. He's done everything we've asked and then some. As a result of that, he's had a really good career here."
That career nears the 1,000-point mark as a member of Montana State with his final Big Sky Tournament coming up in just a week. While at one time Adamu may have had his sights on his individual accomplishments, the Bobcat senior guard has his aim on loftier goals.
"Right now I'm just focusing on this Big Sky Championship," Adamu said. "We've put in a lot of work and this program has changed around. I feel like every year we've been breaking records and making history. We feel like we deserve this."
Instead of another temporary stay in a college town, Adamu made the most of his time in Bozeman and in turn has helped elevate the Bobcat men's basketball program.
Adamu arrived to the States from his home in London, England, and began his basketball career at the junior college level. He spent a season at Western Wyoming Community College and averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game. A coaching change there resulted in Adamu transferring to Casper College for his sophomore season. Alongside current Montana State Assistant Dan Russell, who was at the helm of Casper College in 2018-19, the Thunderbirds went 32-3 and won their first NJCAA Region IX Championship in 23 years.
The team success and numbers he produced individually, averaging over 15 points and 4 rebounds per game at Casper College, gave him an opportunity to reach the Division I level. He initially was reluctant on having to move a third time in less than three years in a new country, but circumstances eventually helped make the move an easier transition.
"I felt it was kind of hard to deal with," Adamu said when he was first contemplating his next school choice. "I didn't want to leave my JUCO schools each time that I did. I only had to leave because of the circumstances. My first school, my head coach left, then at my second JUCO it's just part of the process going through two years at that level.
"I had a good year, the team had a good year, and being close to coach Russell and knowing he was coming here, it ended up making my decision a lot easier. I knew I'd be looked over. The transition was definitely interesting for me, but it ended up working out at the end of the day."
Another step on his journey in America wasn't going to be easy.
Adamu noted the physicality of the game of basketball in America was his first adjustment. His next one at Montana State would be handling the rigors and expectations of being a Division I student-athlete.
It wasn't a transition that was all positive for the now Bobcat senior guard.
"I'm more proud of his growth off the court," said Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle. "I had to be really hard on him his first year. We had a meeting after his first two months about sending him back to London. At that time, he just needed to have some discipline. We knew how talented he was and how good of a kid he off the floor. He just had never been held accountable. Once we had that conversation, he's been at another level ever since."
His first season at Montana State continued to feature the big numbers on his stat line that he saw at the junior college level. He averaged 11.7 points on 45.5% shooting along with 5.2 rebounds per outing. Most of his work was done inside the arc as he hit six 3-pointers in 29 games.
But what Adamu worked on most was the stuff behind the scenes, the things others not around him on a daily basis miss out on.
"Every year he has taken another step or notch in terms of maturity," Russell said. "Academically he's really made a step, basketball wise he's grown a ton. I think he's grown the most socially, just in terms of him growing to be comfortable in his own skin and coming to peace in who he is. That's probably that's where I've seen the most maturation."
His progress in all areas of life have translated to the type of player he is on it.
Adamu has improved his field goal percentage every season of his college career at Montana State. Though he's taking less shots, he's still averaging over 11 points per game while he's become a better distributor. Adamu has become a threat from deep as this season he has made 20 of his 53 3-point attempts for a 37.7% mark. He's also one of MSU's leaders on the court now as an upperclassman and playing in his third year in the program.
"He's slowed down on the court," Sprinkle said. "He's continued to get better. You can see all the work he's done with how well he shoots the basketball now. That's self made."
That progress on the court was able to be made because of the work he's done on himself off of it.
"Off the floor really," Adamu said when he was asked where he thought he's improved most over the last three years. "I feel like I'm more mature around people, around my professors, being able to communicate with them so I know what I'm doing, and just being more prepared with my classes.
"On the floor, I've been open to just listening to my coaches more. They have the answers to a lot of things and trying to argue with them never goes well, so I think I've matured quite a bit. I think I've been composed and confident in myself a lot more."
Adamu noted his relationships with both Russell and Jubrile Belo were significant factors in him getting to Montana State. His friendship with Belo, which has spanned since their days of dreaming of playing Division I basketball in high school, he said has been a blessing to have during his time as a Bobcat. Adamu pointed out the multiple people that have helped him work on himself such as his teammates, his coaches and the community members he's gotten to know.
His development in his rapport with those around him has made him a fan favorite for those that attend basketball games in Worthington Arena.
"It's been fun to watch his growth," Russell said. "He had a long way to go in all three aspects and he's answered the bell. He's done everything we've asked and then some. As a result of that, he's had a really good career here."
That career nears the 1,000-point mark as a member of Montana State with his final Big Sky Tournament coming up in just a week. While at one time Adamu may have had his sights on his individual accomplishments, the Bobcat senior guard has his aim on loftier goals.
"Right now I'm just focusing on this Big Sky Championship," Adamu said. "We've put in a lot of work and this program has changed around. I feel like every year we've been breaking records and making history. We feel like we deserve this."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballBobcat Insider TV Show
Thursday, March 03
Inside The Brick (Amin Adamu)
Friday, November 05
Inside The Brick (Nick Gazelas)
Monday, November 01
Inside The Brick (Abdul Mohamed)
Sunday, October 31
