RICHMOND, Ky. – Rio Adams, a 6-4 guard/wing from Seattle, has signed to play basketball at Eastern Kentucky University, it was announced on Thursday, June 9.
Adams (pictured) signed with Kansas in 2012 following a stellar prep career that saw him average 21.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds-per-game and lead Rainier Beach High School to a Class 3A state title as a senior.
He was a four-star recruit and a consensus national Top 100 player (rated No. 91 by ESPN and No. 98 by Rivals) coming out of high school.
“Rio is a huge pick-up and a welcome addition to the Colonel family,” EKU coach Dan McHale said. “To get a kid of his caliber and experience will bolster our young backcourt.”
Adams played in 24 games as a freshman at Kansas. He scored a season-high 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting against Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals.
Adams transferred to Odessa College in Texas for the 2013-14 season. He averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists-per-game and shot 40.5 percent from three-point range in his one season with the Wranglers.
“Rio has tremendous quickness, strength and versatility,” McHale added. “The playmaking wing has the ability to make everybody better with his passing and vision. His length and ability to defend multiple positions will enhance our defense. We are thrilled that he will finish his career as a Colonel.”
Adams is eligible to play immediately, and he has one year of eligibility remaining.
Adams joins an EKU signing class that includes Butler transfer Jackson Davis (Lexington, Kentucky), Louisville transfer Dillon Avare (Lexington, Kentucky), junior-college transfer Zach Charles (Mesquite, Texas) and incoming freshmen Asante Gist (West Orange, New Jersey), Parker Chitty (Columbus, Indiana), DeAndre Dishman (Lexington, Kentucky) and Marlon Adams (Middletown, New York).
In 2015-16, McHale’s up-tempo Colonels, who finished with a 15-16 mark, ranked 18th in the country in scoring offense (80.5 points-per-game) and broke the EKU single-season field goal percentage record (49.1 percent).
Photo provided by EKU Athletics
