Photo by: Natalia Moll
Carmelo Adkins: Rising to the Challenge
1/23/2025 9:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball, General
SPARTANBURG, S.C.-- Saying Carmelo Adkins is having an incredible first season with USC Upstate is correct, but it's also a vast understatement. The freshman guard has played almost two dozen games as a Spartan, averaging over 10 points per game and earning a handful of consecutive Big South Freshman of the Week honors.
However, even with the serious numbers Adkins has been putting up this season and other accomplishments, he's keeping himself grounded. He says he hasn't been giving in to any pressure.
"With basketball, you can get caught up in overworking yourself. You can push yourself hard, but at the same time still enjoy your life," Adkins said about maintaining the balance of a busy schedule where basketball and school are both a priority, "I get my work done on the court and
do what I can right after practice. I keep the things I do--basic."
Adkins got his start with basketball in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, thanks to his father, who played for Texas Tech University and acted as one of Adkins's biggest supporters, pushing him to get into the sport.Â
Adkins also attended PHHoenix Prep (PHH Prep) where he played for the Diamond Doves in the Overtime Elite league. During his time playing for the Diamond Doves, Adkins played in 18 games for the team, averaging 8.9 points per game. Most days at Phoenix Prep started with a 5 AM wake-up call, training with assistant coaches, 7 AM practice until lunch, more training, and then coming back at night for more practice with
shooting.Â
"It was just basketball 24/7," Adkins said, "It was college before college. I was getting used to living on my own, playing basketball, and learning time management as well."
"It's definitely stronger," he said about his changing relationship with the sport as he's gotten older, "When I was younger, I looked at basketball as a game you played for fun, and obviously, I still play for fun, but I also treat it as a job. I mean, I want to play this for a long time."
Adkins joined the Spartan program under USC Upstate's new head coach, Marty Richter, as part of the 2024-25 Signing Class. Adkins had originally verbally committed to West Virginia University but said Richter was able to sway him for an opportunity to play at USC Upstate.
"He brings a tremendous ability to make the three-point shot and play make for others. His defensive intensity is what sticks out to me as a coach," said Richter about Adkins signing at the start of the season.
While adapting to a new team has come easily to Adkins, the experience of playing for USC Upstate has been different as he's taken on a role that's been different from other teams he's played for. While playing for USC Upstate, Adkins's main focus was improving his shooting beyond the arc and acting as a team player. Adkins credits his easy transition to the program to his time playing in the Overtime Elite league, where he worked with and played against many other high-level players.
Adkins models his style of play after Devin Booker, who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. Adkins specifically mentioned taking inspiration from Booker's role for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. Adkins specifically mentioned wanting to find ways to incorporate Booker's defensive plays to help his team win, rather than wanting to be the "main scorer."Â
Like many student-athletes, Adkins' goal is to one day play professionally in the NBA, and he credits his family as his biggest motivator when pursuing this. "Moving them into a better house, I think about that all the time, and making it so they don't have to work another job," Adkins said, "When I'm working out and I feel tired, I think about that and that pushes me."
Adkins has played plenty of great games this season, but one that's stuck was USC Upstate's matchup against Virginia Tech in November. The game marked a career-high for Adkins, who scored 18 points despite falling to Virginia 93-74.Â
However, Adkins says that his father made the game special for him. "He hasn't been to a game in, like, two years," Adkins said, "Even though we lost, he hasn't seen me play, so for me to score my career high at the game was memorable." Speaking with Adkins, it's clear he has a real passion for the game, which shows in his play.
"It's the rewards that come with it," Adkins said about his favorite parts of playing. "I love basketball. You can get money from playing, find lifelong friends from this, and build connections with people you wouldn't usually find connections with."
The rise of Adkins as a Spartan is here, and it's off to a fast start.
However, even with the serious numbers Adkins has been putting up this season and other accomplishments, he's keeping himself grounded. He says he hasn't been giving in to any pressure.
"With basketball, you can get caught up in overworking yourself. You can push yourself hard, but at the same time still enjoy your life," Adkins said about maintaining the balance of a busy schedule where basketball and school are both a priority, "I get my work done on the court and
do what I can right after practice. I keep the things I do--basic."
Adkins got his start with basketball in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, thanks to his father, who played for Texas Tech University and acted as one of Adkins's biggest supporters, pushing him to get into the sport.Â
Adkins also attended PHHoenix Prep (PHH Prep) where he played for the Diamond Doves in the Overtime Elite league. During his time playing for the Diamond Doves, Adkins played in 18 games for the team, averaging 8.9 points per game. Most days at Phoenix Prep started with a 5 AM wake-up call, training with assistant coaches, 7 AM practice until lunch, more training, and then coming back at night for more practice with
shooting.Â
"It was just basketball 24/7," Adkins said, "It was college before college. I was getting used to living on my own, playing basketball, and learning time management as well."
"It's definitely stronger," he said about his changing relationship with the sport as he's gotten older, "When I was younger, I looked at basketball as a game you played for fun, and obviously, I still play for fun, but I also treat it as a job. I mean, I want to play this for a long time."
Adkins joined the Spartan program under USC Upstate's new head coach, Marty Richter, as part of the 2024-25 Signing Class. Adkins had originally verbally committed to West Virginia University but said Richter was able to sway him for an opportunity to play at USC Upstate.
"He brings a tremendous ability to make the three-point shot and play make for others. His defensive intensity is what sticks out to me as a coach," said Richter about Adkins signing at the start of the season.
While adapting to a new team has come easily to Adkins, the experience of playing for USC Upstate has been different as he's taken on a role that's been different from other teams he's played for. While playing for USC Upstate, Adkins's main focus was improving his shooting beyond the arc and acting as a team player. Adkins credits his easy transition to the program to his time playing in the Overtime Elite league, where he worked with and played against many other high-level players.
Adkins models his style of play after Devin Booker, who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns. Adkins specifically mentioned taking inspiration from Booker's role for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. Adkins specifically mentioned wanting to find ways to incorporate Booker's defensive plays to help his team win, rather than wanting to be the "main scorer."Â
Like many student-athletes, Adkins' goal is to one day play professionally in the NBA, and he credits his family as his biggest motivator when pursuing this. "Moving them into a better house, I think about that all the time, and making it so they don't have to work another job," Adkins said, "When I'm working out and I feel tired, I think about that and that pushes me."
Adkins has played plenty of great games this season, but one that's stuck was USC Upstate's matchup against Virginia Tech in November. The game marked a career-high for Adkins, who scored 18 points despite falling to Virginia 93-74.Â
However, Adkins says that his father made the game special for him. "He hasn't been to a game in, like, two years," Adkins said, "Even though we lost, he hasn't seen me play, so for me to score my career high at the game was memorable." Speaking with Adkins, it's clear he has a real passion for the game, which shows in his play.
"It's the rewards that come with it," Adkins said about his favorite parts of playing. "I love basketball. You can get money from playing, find lifelong friends from this, and build connections with people you wouldn't usually find connections with."
The rise of Adkins as a Spartan is here, and it's off to a fast start.
Players Mentioned
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