Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Orlando Bloom
Steven Adams is a New Zealand professional basketball player known for his strength, rebounding ability, and physical presence in the NBA. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, he has represented teams including the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets. Beyond his basketball career, Steven Adams comes from an exceptionally large and athletic family that includes Olympic champions, Paralympic athletes, and professional basketball players.
Although Adams generally keeps his romantic relationships away from public attention, he has spoken extensively about his childhood, his father, and the siblings who helped shape his life. His family background is an important part of his journey from New Zealand to the NBA.
Steven Adams’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Steven Adams has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend or wife. Despite his international popularity, the New Zealand basketball star has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships.
Unlike some NBA players who regularly share photographs of their partners on social media, Adams primarily uses his public platforms to discuss basketball, his New Zealand heritage, community initiatives, and personal interests.
There have been occasional online discussions about his relationship status, but no reliable public confirmation identifies a current girlfriend or spouse. Consequently, it would be inaccurate to describe him as married or officially single without further information.
As of now, Steven Adams’s romantic relationship status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Does Steven Adams Have Children?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Steven Adams has children. The NBA center has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and trustworthy biographical sources do not identify any children belonging to him.
Adams has nevertheless demonstrated a strong commitment to younger generations through basketball development programmes and community initiatives in New Zealand.
His Steven Adams Basketball Camps and related initiatives aim to provide opportunities for young athletes, particularly those from New Zealand and Pacific Island communities.
However, his involvement in youth development should not be confused with information about his own parenthood. Whether he has children privately remains undisclosed.
Who Are Steven Adams’s Parents?
Steven Adams was born to an English father, Sid Adams, and a Tongan mother whom he identifies as Heilala in his autobiography. His family background combines British and Pacific Island heritage, which has remained an important part of his identity.
Steven Adams’s Father: Sid Adams
Steven Adams’s father was Sidney “Sid” Adams, an Englishman originally from Bristol who eventually settled in Rotorua, New Zealand, after working at sea.
Sid was an exceptionally tall man, standing approximately 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 metres). His impressive height became a recognisable characteristic of the Adams family, with several of his children eventually pursuing competitive sports.
He fathered children through several relationships and raised Steven during much of his childhood. In his autobiography, Steven describes his father as a strict but caring figure who established rules and expectations for his children.
Sid died from cancer when Steven was 13 years old. His death profoundly affected the young basketball prospect, who subsequently struggled with school attendance and direction in life.
In interviews and his autobiography, Steven has explained how losing his father became one of the defining experiences of his childhood.
Steven Adams’s Mother: Heilala
Steven Adams identifies his mother as Heilala in his 2018 autobiography, Steven Adams: My Life, My Fight. She is of Tongan heritage and spent significant periods living in Tonga during his childhood.
Adams recounts travelling to Tonga with his mother and sister Gabriella when he was young. After returning to New Zealand, he spent much of his childhood living with his father.
He also describes how his mother returned from Tonga when Sid became seriously ill. Because they had spent considerable time apart, rebuilding their relationship was not immediately easy.
An important distinction: Several online biographies identify Lilika Ngauamo as Steven’s mother. However, Steven’s own autobiography names Heilala. Lilika Ngauamo was the mother of his older half-sister, Olympic shot-put champion Valerie Adams, and died in September 2000.
Steven’s published account therefore provides a more reliable basis for identifying his mother than biographies that appear to confuse members of the large Adams family.
Steven Adams’s Siblings: Meet His Brothers and Sisters
Steven Adams comes from one of New Zealand’s most recognisable sporting families. His father had children with several women, giving Steven numerous brothers, sisters, and half-siblings.
Many media reports describe Steven as the youngest of 18 children. However, Adams himself has questioned that exact number in his autobiography, explaining that different family members remember different totals. His official website describes him as the youngest of 14 siblings.
What is certain is that several members of the Adams family have competed at elite sporting levels.
Valerie Adams – Olympic Shot-Put Champion
Dame Valerie Adams is Steven Adams’s older half-sister and one of New Zealand’s most successful athletes.
Born on October 6, 1984, Valerie established herself as a dominant figure in women’s shot put, winning Olympic gold medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
She also collected multiple world championship titles and became a prominent representative of New Zealand athletics.
Valerie and Steven share their father, Sid Adams. Despite pursuing different sports, both became internationally recognised athletes.
Steven has often spoken about his famous sister with affection, treating her sporting success as a source of family pride rather than competition.
Lisa Adams – Paralympic Champion
Lisa Adams is another of Steven Adams’s accomplished sisters. She is a New Zealand para-athlete best known for competing in shot put.
Lisa won gold in the women’s F37 shot-put event at the Tokyo Paralympics, establishing herself among the leading competitors in her classification.
She has also won world championship honours and has worked closely with Valerie Adams, who became her coach.
Her achievements further demonstrate the remarkable sporting talent within Steven Adams’s extended family.
Warren Adams – Older Brother and Basketball Player
Warren Adams is one of Steven’s older brothers and played an important role in helping him pursue basketball seriously.
Warren had experience playing competitive basketball in New Zealand, including involvement with the national basketball programme.
Following their father’s death, Warren recognised that Steven needed greater structure and opportunities. He helped connect his younger brother with people who could support his development.
One of the most important connections was with basketball mentor Kenny McFadden in Wellington.
That support helped put Steven on a path toward college basketball in the United States and eventually the NBA.
Sid Adams Jr. – Older Brother
Sid Adams Jr. is another of Steven’s older brothers and comes from the family’s strong basketball background.
Like several of his siblings, Sid Jr. played competitive basketball in New Zealand.
Steven has described how his older brother took on additional household responsibilities during their father’s illness, helping the younger children with transport, basketball training, and everyday activities.
His support was particularly valuable during a difficult period for the family.
Gabriella Adams-Gavet – Basketball-Playing Sister
Gabriella Adams-Gavet, also known as Gabby, is Steven Adams’s sister and another talented basketball player.
She has represented New Zealand at international level, including involvement with the Tall Ferns women’s national basketball team.
Steven and Gabriella spent part of their childhood together in Rotorua and shared experiences travelling to Tonga with their mother.
Her basketball career adds to the impressive number of Adams siblings who have represented New Zealand in competitive sports.
Viv Adams – Older Sister and Family Supporter
Viv is another important member of Steven Adams’s family. Although she is less publicly known for sporting achievements than some of her siblings, she played a significant role in supporting the younger children.
In his autobiography, Steven recalls how Viv helped organise family gatherings and assisted with everyday responsibilities, particularly when their father was seriously ill.
She checked on the younger siblings, helped ensure they attended school, and provided stability during difficult periods.
Steven’s descriptions of Viv demonstrate that the support he received from his family extended well beyond basketball.
How Steven Adams’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Growing up in a family filled with talented athletes exposed Steven Adams to competitive sports from an early age.
However, his journey to professional basketball was not straightforward. His father’s death created significant challenges, and Steven has acknowledged struggling with motivation and school attendance as a teenager.
Support from his siblings, family friend Blossom Cameron, and basketball mentor Kenny McFadden helped him find a more positive direction.
He eventually attended Scots College in Wellington and earned an opportunity to play college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh.
In 2013, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Adams with the 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
His success reflected not only his physical attributes and determination but also the family and community support that helped him develop as an athlete.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steven Adams’s Family
Who is Steven Adams’s girlfriend?
Steven Adams has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend. He keeps his romantic relationships private, and there is no reliable public information identifying a partner.
Is Steven Adams married?
There is no verified public confirmation that Steven Adams is married or has a wife.
Does Steven Adams have any children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Steven Adams. He has not disclosed whether he is a father.
Who is Steven Adams’s father?
His father was Sidney “Sid” Adams, an Englishman who settled in New Zealand. Sid died of cancer when Steven was 13 years old.
Who is Steven Adams’s mother?
Steven identifies his Tongan mother as Heilala in his autobiography. She should not be confused with Lilika Ngauamo, who was the mother of his half-sister Valerie Adams.
How many siblings does Steven Adams have?
Steven Adams is frequently described as the youngest of 18 children, although he has questioned the exact total in his autobiography. His official website refers to him as the youngest of 14 siblings.
Is Steven Adams related to Valerie Adams?
Yes. Olympic shot-put champion Dame Valerie Adams is Steven Adams’s older half-sister. They share the same father, Sid Adams.
Is Lisa Adams related to Steven Adams?
Yes. Paralympic shot-put champion Lisa Adams is Steven Adams’s sister. Both belong to the large and athletic Adams family from New Zealand.
Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
