Last August, the FIBA Oceania Championships took place with a spot in this August's Olympics on the line.
Australia was the overwhelming favorite. But New Zealand stood as optimistic challengers, hoping that its young, giant phenom could neutralize Australia's massive longtime advantage in the matchup — Andrew Bogut.
"On paper, Steven Adams is the only Tall Black who could reasonably be expected to tussle with Bogut in single coverage," a New Zealand news report read in late July.
But Adams chose not to compete and Australia rolled to two straight double-digit wins, securing the automatic bid.