Adams grew up in Austin, Texas and attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal School as a freshman. He transferred to Westlake High School, where he played basketball and lacrosse.[1] Adams averaged 22.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game during his junior season.[2] He was named 6A All-State as a senior after averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.[3]
Adams played in 37 of Kansas's 40 games during his freshman season and averaged 4.8 minutes played, one point, and 0.8 rebounds per game.[6] He played three total minutes in the Kansas' 72–69 victory in 2022 national championship game against North Carolina and was a defensive substitution for the final possession of the game.[7] Adams entered his sophomore season as the Jayhawks' starting small center.[8] As a sophomore, he was named Big 12 Most Improved Player and averaged 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.[9] Adams averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior.[10]