Alvan Adams

Alvan Leigh Adams, born July 19, 1954, in Lawrence, Kansas, is an American former professional basketball player who spent his entire 13-year career with the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oklahoma City, Adams was nicknamed the "Oklahoma Kid." His mother, Ilse, was from Austria and met his father, Richard Paul, a petroleum geologist, when both were students at the University of Kansas; Adams was named after the biblical figure Alvan.

He attended Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, where as a three-year starter he led the basketball team to a 67–11 record, including an undefeated senior season and a state championship. He was named Oklahoma High School Player of the Year and a Parade All-American in 1972. During the 1973–74 season he tied an Oklahoma school record with 21 double-figure games.

Adams entered the NBA with Phoenix and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1975. He was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1976. He retired in 1988, having played his full career with the Suns. He holds franchise records for games played (988), minutes played (27,203), rebounds (6,937), and steals (1,289).