Oklahoma, 1998
• 1974 First Team Academic All-America®
• 1975 First Team Academic All-America®
Alvan Adams was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 2012.
Power forward/center Alvan Adams helped shine a national spotlight on University of Oklahoma basketball, earning Big Eight Conference Tournament MVP status three times, and Big Eight Player of the Year in 1975—all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA and earning Academic All-America® honors twice. Tapped by the NBA after his junior year, he left Oklahoma as his school's leading scorer (1,87 points) and rebounder (938) to play for the Phoenix Suns, who chose him as the league's fourth overall draft pick.
His first year in the NBA, Adams won Rookie of the Year, played in the 1976 All-Star Game, and led the Suns to the finals for the first time in the team's history. He played for Phoenix his entire NBA career, retiring in 1988 as the team's leader in scoring (13,910 points), games played (988), rebounds (6,937) and steals (1,289).
After his retirement, Adams returned to the University of Oklahoma to complete his bachelor's degree, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1998. He served as VP for Facility Management at Phoenix Arena Sports Corporation, presiding over the Suns' home court. A former Eagle Scout, Adams stayed active in the Phoenix community, volunteering his time for the Boy Scouts of America, the city's historic preservation, and the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Born: Lawrence, Kan.
High School: Putnam City
Occupation: VP for Facility Management at Phoenix Arena Sports Corporation