Darius Adams expects more from himself this season, and the NC State sophomore guard believes the work he's put in since arriving in Raleigh will show up on the floor.
A healthy offseason has helped. He's added weight, worked on his shooting, and spent time with Justin Gainey addressing two areas that could determine how much he plays: defense and taking care of the basketball.
"Definitely having a full offseason helped me," Adams said. "I haven't been injured or anything. I've been in the weight room. I've gained weight. I'm just more confident in myself. I'm ready for this year. New year, new me."
The Maryland transfer is looking to become a more consistent perimeter threat after an uneven freshman year.
"I think I'm going to make a big jump," Adams said. "I think I'm going to surprise a lot of people this year. Just being in the gym, keep doing those reps over and over again. I've been in the gym a lot this summer, and I think it's going to improve."
Adams believes getting to the rim was a strength at Maryland. The next step is giving defenders more to account for when he attacks.
"Getting to the basket was my strength last year," Adams said. "Just working on that mid-range game, being a three-level scorer, and also my playmaking, too. When I get down there, being able to pass it out and hit open people for shots."
Gainey's demands extend beyond scoring. Adams said the two have watched film together, with an emphasis on defending consistently and limiting turnovers.
"I believe that they're already doing that," Adams said when asked whether Gainey could unlock another level of his game. "In the summer, he's pushing me really hard on my defense and taking care of the ball. We watch film together. I've been having a good summer, I believe, and I think it's going to be a great season."
For Adams, part of that improvement has come from giving defense more attention each day.
"I think my defense improved a lot, especially from the beginning of the summer," he said. "I think I'm more focused on it now. He's definitely been pushing me hard on that, getting on me every day about, 'You've got to play defense, you've got to play defense,' because he knows that's what's going to take me to the next level."
Those details matter in a backcourt that also includes Preston Edmead, Paul McNeil, and Christian Hammond. Adams likes the options NC State has with those four guards, particularly the spacing they can create for one another.
"I think us four guards, we're going to be a problem," Adams said. "I love playing with all three of them. It's easy. All of us can shoot, so the spacing is open. Anybody can drive, and everyone can kick out and drive. It's flowing good.
"We're all connecting, and we're all putting our self goals aside and coming together as a team to make it happen."
Adams could work alongside another ball handler or spend possessions initiating the offense himself. He said Gainey has expressed confidence in his ability to handle either assignment.
"It means everything," Adams said of Gainey's confidence in his ball-handling ability. "I really like the fact that he has that confidence in me, and I'm definitely capable of playing on the ball and off the ball. Whatever he wants me to do, I'll do it."
That includes coming off the bench if that's where Gainey believes he can best help the team.
"I'm comfortable with anything," he said. "Whatever he has planned that's best for the team, I'll take it. I just want to play the game. I love this game. I want to help do anything to win, and I'll do whatever."
He's also confident in Edmead as the point guard makes the move from the mid-major level to the ACC.
"I think Preston's fine no matter where he's come from," Adams said. "I think he's a great player. I think he's going to live up to the standard of himself, not other people's standards. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people this year."
The Wolfpack still has to show how those pieces fit against outside competition. But after an offseason together, Adams believes the guards have developed an understanding of how to play off one another.
"I think us four, we're going to be a problem," Adams said. "I think we're all connected. I think we all know each other's games now at this point, and I think that it's going to be scary."
