 | | Wink Adams participated in a live online chat on Friday, Aug. 8. |
UNLV senior guard Wink Adams participated in a live online chat with fans on Friday, Aug. 8 on UNLVRebels.com. Adams, an All-Mountain West Conference selection last year, led the Runnin' Rebels in scoring in 2007-08. He was instrumental in UNLV's back-to-back MWC Tournament championships and the Runnin' Rebels' NCAA Tournament appearances each of the last two seasons, which included wins both years in the Big Dance and an appearance in the 2007 Sweet 16. A big part of the UNLV program's return to the national scene, fans found out more about what it has been like for Adams to be a part of the program's resurgence during the chat. The transcript from the session is below. |
 |
 |  | UNLV Moderator: Hey Rebel fans. Sitting here with Wink. He's ready to answer a few questions before going to class. We have a record-high number of questions already, so he will not be able to answer them all. However, he's excited so let's go. |
|
|
| Steve (Las Vegas, NV): Wink, What is the team's weight training program like? Do you train year-round or just in the off-season? And on a lighter note, what is you're favorite place to eat on/near campus? |
 | | Wink Adams: All year round. Jason Kabo does a great job. Four times times a week during the season and five times a week in the summer. We don't get time off. |
|
|
| Kevin Siffermann Bradenton, FL: Frist, Thank you for being such a wonderful example on how hard work, a positive attitude, and your dedication in helping bring UNLV basketball back on the map. The Rebels are going tgo need a leader this year, and your obviously the one to lead the charge. What have you done to prepair the under classman in the upcoming season? UNLV Aumni 1997, Go Rebs! |
 | | Wink Adams: Thank you for your comments. I try to set an example on and off the court. Go to class, be on time to weights and get all of my work done. |
|
|
| Calvin (Las Vegas): 1. When you first signed your letter of intent with UNLV, what were your expectations regarding total season win and NCAA Tournament Appearances? 2. What are your team expectations this years regarding the same? |
| | Wink Adams: I wanted to help change the program, but I'm surprised by how much we have achieved already. I knew I would get to play for a great coach who knows the game and I just wanted to be the best player I could be. |
|
|
| K.C. (Vegas): Do you like the nickname that Marty Fletcher (from the mtn. channel) has given you? Wink-a-dink-a-doo? |
| | Wink Adams: I love it! |
|
|
| Ryan & Lil Rian: As far as individual accoplishments, how do you feel, knowing that there is a great chance you could crack the 2,000 point club and be among UNLV All-Time greats- Eddie Owens, Sydney Green, Stacey Augmon and Freddie Banks? And also pass superstars Anderson Hunt, Larry Johnson, JR Rider, Gondo, Greg Anthony and Aromon Gilliam? Did you ever think that you would come to UNLV and be mentioned among the greatest of All-Time? |
| | Wink Adams: Not at all. Before I came, I never looked in the media guide for points scored and stuff. I didn't even know about that until people started saying it after last year. However, I won't change my game. Not worrying about it has been good for me so far so I'm not going to start now. Winning as a team is the main part. |
|
|
| John (Barstow, Ca.): Wink I will be a new student this year at UNLV, what can I look forward to the most when I go to the Thomas & Mack Center to watch the Runnin? Rebels play? |
| | Wink Adams: First off, welcome to Las Vegas. A good crowd, fireworks, good players and good games. You gotta sit in the student section. |
|
|
| Lindy: Wink, I knew when you were little you wanted to play for the Rebels. Did you ever think you actually would? |
| | Wink Adams: When I was little, I had UNLV jackets and hats - everything. Probably didn't think I would really play for them. At first, they weren't really recruiting me, but they started to more late in the summer. Once I got the letter, I knew where I wanted to go. |
|
|
| Brad (Las vegas): Looking to the future and the NBA draft are you going to change anything different about your play style in order to try to make it to the nba? |
| | Wink Adams: Here, playing the two, I need to score more. At the next level, I will probably have to play point and control the team more. Playing the two is better for the team right now. Coach needs me as a scorer so I'm going to be a scorer. If he needs me to do something else, I'll do it. |
|
|
| rebfan (fairbanks, ak): Based on how you played in australia, how would you predict the runnin rebels do in 08-09 |
| | Wink Adams: We're going to be good. We've been missing a big man and now we have three of them. Now we have an inside presence so it will be better. As players, we are talking about having the best year since we've been here. |
|
| | UNLV Moderator: The questions are coming in fast. Sorry we won't be able to get to all of them. Wink's enjoying answering your questions. Let's get back to it. |
|
|
| Thady Boo ( Sunny Side): How does it feel playing on a bi stage like the Big Dance, knowing that if you get dunked on, me and everyone else who knows you personally is going to clown you!!!! |
| | Wink Adams: Thady Boo is one of my high school teammates... Thady Boo, it feels good to play on the big stage. Everyone gets dunked on - except for me. LOL |
|
|
| Vernon (Las Vegas): hi wink, just curious, are you going to be able to graduate this coming year? and, what is your major? good luck this season. |
| | Wink Adams: Set to graduate in May - just six classes left! My major is physical education and my minor is sociology. Rene, Joe and Mo are also graduating. That's something we are very proud of. |
|
|
| Los Angeles: Do you feel like you're a positive mentor to other young black men coming in the program after you. |
| | Wink Adams: I hope to be a positive mentor for anyone I can be. My mom was there for me when times were tough for us. If I'm teaching others anything, it is what she taught me... I also see myself as a role model for guys my height. I want them to see they can play at this level. |
|
|
| Nick (Henderson): Wink, From a player's perspective, what are the unique quality's Coach Kruger and his staff have that make them able to develop and improve incoming players so effectively? |
| | Wink Adams: I think the way they are puts emphasis on defense. Each coach handles a different position. Coach Henson has guards and Coach Hill works the bigs. They all played the game - they have been in our shoes - now they are just showing us. |
|
|
| Roscoe, Las Vegas: Speaking of your height, how tall are you really? 5'10"? |
| | Wink Adams: 5-10 but on the inside, 6-5. |
|
|
| Jimmy Las Vegas NV serving in Kuwait: Hey Wink what do you think about the future of UNLV basketball and also the players that Coach Kruger is gonna have for next season it looks bright... |
| | Wink Adams: In my opinion, I think they are going to be better from next year on than we will be this year. They have guys coming in that can do it all - inside and outside. They have an all around team. But knowing that, motivates us for this year. |
|
|
| Jordan (Las Vegas): If you could relive one moment in any game as a Rebel, what moment and game would it be? |
| | Wink Adams: TCU, of course! |
|
|
| Sharelle: You are so cute Wink. I was just wondering if you had a girlfriend? |
| | Wink Adams: First off, thanks. No, but I'm looking. (You fans are crazy!) |
|
|
| Ty Las Vegas: You guys held together so well during some disciplinary issues last year. To what PLAYER do you give the most credit for keeping you all on the same page? |
| | Wink Adams: Rene, he is the most inspirational on the team. |
|
|
| Chris (Las Vegas): wink, just a huge thank you for comming to UNLV. When you signed your LOI we knew big things were comming, but we had no idea how big. UNLV has a great future ahead and you will always be remembered as the key recruit that started it all. |
| | Wink Adams: Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. The team I played with my freshman year and the teams I played with the whole time I have been here are the ones who have made it possible. Joe, Rene, Mo and myself, we take ownership of this last year and want to make it one to remember since it is our last one. |
|
| | UNLV Moderator: Class starts in 30 minutes for Wink. We have time for a few more. Thank you, Rebel fans! |
|
|
| Chris Vegas: Who of the new players do you think we should watchout for this year? |
| | Wink Adams: All of them look good - ALL of them. Each one does something different or brings something to the team that we have been lacking. |
|
|
| Lindy: What is the biggest accomplishment you have made while on the unlv basketball team? |
| | Wink Adams: I love being part of a whole team. It's about everyone wanting to win. It's not about individuals. I like it not being about one or two players. |
|
|
| Jordan (Las Vegas): Speaking of the TCU game, did you get hit harder on that final play or in Wyoming on the 'no call' 2 years ago? |
| | Wink Adams: The Wyoming call BY FAR! |
|
| | Wink Adams: I still can't believe that no call to this day. |
|
| | Wink Adams: This year is definitely going to be a good year. We are going to play defense like always. We are going to protect home court - and we want you there! We're going to set the bar high this year. We want to go as far as we have been since I've been here. I had fun. Thank you for the questions. I would like to answer them all, but I have to go to class. |
|
| | UNLV Moderator: Thanks for spending some time this morning with Wink. Please check back with UNLVRebels.com for more chats with Runnin' Rebel players and coaches. And, don't forget, Oct. 17 is the first practice of the season. Plan on joining us that evening at the Thomas & Mack for a special practice hosted by the UNLV Cheerleaders and the Rebel Girls. |
|
|
|
