The University of Pittsburgh basketball coach Jamie Dixon says he understands why New Zealand centre Steven Adams is heading to the NBA after only a year in the college system in the United States.
The 19 year-old-Adams announced on Thursday that he'd be making himself eligible for June's draft and plans to sign with an agent.
Dixon says there were strong family considerations that Adams took into account before making the decision.
Adams is the brother of double Olympic shot putt champion Valerie Adams and the youngest of 18 children.
Dixon says he's spoken to NBA personnel and is confident Adams will be picked up in the draft.
The NBA draft is in June with several draft predictions ranking Adams 19th in the first round of 30 players.
