Adrian Oliver

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Adrian Oliver

| image = Adrian Oliver in 2016.JPG

| caption = Adrian Oliver attends a San Jose State game in 2016.

| position = Shooting guard

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lb = 205

| league =

| team =

| number =

| nationality = American

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|3|31}}

| birth_place = Modesto, California, U.S.

| highschool = Modesto Christian
(Modesto, California)

| college =

Washington (2006–2007)
San Jose State (2008–2011)

| draft_year = 2011

| career_start = 2011

| career_end = 2015

| years1 = 2011

| team1 = Aris

| years2 = 2011–2012

| team2 = Reno Bighorns

| years3 = 2014

| team3 = Taranaki Mountainairs

| years4 = 2014–2015

| team4 = Fuerza Regia

| years5 = 2015

| team5 = Mineros de Caborca

| highlights =

2× First-team All-WAC (2010, 2011)

}}

Adrian McClinton Oliver (born March 31, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Washington from 2006 to 2007 and San Jose State University from 2008 to 2011.

Early life

Born in Modesto, California, Oliver was raised by his single mother and grandparents after his father left the family when he was seven. Of mixed African American and Mexican American descent,[https://www.twitter.com/adrianAOoliver/status/147432239825829889 Twitter update 147432239825829889] Oliver graduated from Modesto Christian High School in 2006. He was a two-time, first-team all-state player who averaged 25.5 points as a senior and 26.1 points as a junior.{{cite web|title=Adrian Oliver Profile|url=http://www.gohuskies.com/news/2013/4/18/208218412.aspx|work=GoHuskies.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116193545/http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/oliver_adrian00.html|archivedate=November 16, 2010|accessdate=March 3, 2014}} Oliver's uncle, Allen Oliver, coached the Modesto Christian team while he played there.

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Adrian Oliver

| position = PG

| hometown = Modesto, California

| highschool = Modesto Christian HS

| feet = 6

| inches = 3

| weight = 180

| commitdate = May 23, 2005

| scout stars = 4

| rivals stars = 4

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| year = 2006

| rivals ref title = 2006 Washington Basketball Commitment List

| scout ref title = 2006 Washington College Basketball Team Recruiting Prospects

| rivals school = washington

| scout s = 147

| scout overall = 8 (PG); 6 (school)

| rivals overall = 15 (PG); 81 (national); 11 (CA); 7 (school)

| accessdate = August 14, 2013

| archivedate =

| rivals archiveurl=

| scout archiveurl =

| bball = yes

}}

College career

=University of Washington=

Turning down scholarship offers from Gonzaga and Kentucky, Oliver attended the University of Washington from 2006 to 2007.{{cite news|last=Tafur|first=Vittorio|title=What Spartans ask, get from Oliver: more|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/What-Spartans-ask-get-from-Oliver-more-3199093.php|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=February 17, 2010|pages=B3|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218110806/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F02%2F16%2FSPUJ1C2EFL.DTL|archivedate=2010-02-18|url-status=live|access-date=2017-11-08}} At Washington he played in 38 games including 12 starts and averaging 4.7 points in 32 games in 2006–07, and 2.8 points in 6 games in 2007. Oliver was part of the recruiting class which included 2006 NBA draftee Spencer Hawes, who was a first round pick by the Kings.

On December 4, 2007, Oliver announced that he would leave Washington for personal reasons; his mother and stepfather could not move to Seattle.{{cite news|last=Condotta|first=Bob|title=Oliver leaves Washington to play closer to his home|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/huskies/2004053200_umen05.html|accessdate=November 7, 2017|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=December 5, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207144855/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2004053200_umen05.html|archivedate=December 7, 2007|url-status=live}} In a 2010 interview with Metro Silicon Valley, Oliver revealed that he transferred to SJSU because he received a phone call stating that his grandparents were ill.{{citation|last=Akeley|first=Joey|title=Sharp Shooter|url=http://www.sanjose.com/news/2010/11/10/sjsu_star_adrian_oliver|work=Metro Silicon Valley|date=November 10–16, 2010|volume=26|issue=35|page=77}} Oliver first learned about SJSU only one day before he visited the campus. Under NCAA rules, Oliver sat out of the basketball team for one year after transfer until December 2008.

=San Jose State=

At San Jose State, Oliver reunited with Amateur Athletic Union teammate Justin Graham. Oliver majored in sociology, with a concentration in criminology.{{cite web|title=Adrian Oliver|url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=29327&SPID=2292&DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=1614365&Q_SEASON=2009|publisher=San Jose State Spartans|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716080533/http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=29327&SPID=2292&DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=1614365&Q_SEASON=2009|archivedate=July 16, 2011}}{{cite web|title=A few minutes with Adrian Oliver|url=http://sanjosestatespartanhoops.blogspot.com/2010/09/few-minutes-with-adrian-oliver.html|website=San Jose State Spartan Hoops|accessdate=February 1, 2015|date=September 9, 2010}}

On December 20, 2008, Oliver debuted for San Jose State and scored 27 points in an 89–78 victory against Northern Colorado.{{cite web|title=San Jose St. 89, N. Colorado 78|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283550023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124070933/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283550023|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2013|work=ESPN.com|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=February 19, 2011|date=December 20, 2008}} On November 20, 2009, Oliver and his San Jose State team visited Oliver's former school Washington for a game; the Spartans lost 80–70.{{cite web|title=Pondexter posts career-high 30 as No. 14 UW wallops San Jose St.|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293250264|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219201430/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293250264|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2010|work=ESPN.com|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=February 19, 2011|date=November 20, 2009}} That game was the first and only time Oliver would play against his former team.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Percy|title=Adrian Oliver gets one more game at Hec Ed|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2010302783_umen19.html|accessdate=February 19, 2011|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=November 18, 2009}}

Averaging 22.5 points per game, Oliver was tied for fifth nationally with Devan Downey of South Carolina among the leading college basketball scorers of 2009–10.{{cite web|title=NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Player Scoring Per Game Statistics - 2009-10|url=http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/player/_/stat/scoring-per-game/year/2010/seasontype/2/group/50|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712181349/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/statistics/player/_/stat/scoring-per-game/year/2010/seasontype/2/group/50|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2012|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=February 17, 2011}} SJSU ended the 2009–10 season with a 14–17 record after being 12–8 at one point in February 2010; SJSU coach George Nessman commented, "That hit Adrian harder than anybody" and "Adrian always has been a really competitive kid, but he's really owning the team's results now." With his high scoring statistics, Oliver was seen as a key to SJSU having its first winning basketball season in nearly 20 years.

On January 26, 2010, Oliver won the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association for games ending the week of January 24, 2010.{{cite web|title=Oliver Adds National Player Of The Week Award |url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=29329&SPID=2292&DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=204875059 |publisher=San Jose State University Athletics |accessdate=February 17, 2011 |date=January 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716080544/http://www.sjsuspartans.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=29329&SPID=2292&DB_OEM_ID=5600&ATCLID=204875059 |archivedate=July 16, 2011 }} He was also selected as WAC Preseason Player of the Year prior to the 2010–11 season.{{cite news|last=Bellamy|first=Ron|title=Ducks will take their shot at stopping WAC's top gun today|url=http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/25562977-41/game-san-jose-oregon-points.csp|accessdate=February 17, 2011|newspaper=The Register-Guard|date=November 20, 2010}} During the summer before his senior season with the Spartans, Oliver worked with a personal trainer and played pickup basketball in Las Vegas, Nevada, with NBA players like Chuck Hayes, who attended Modesto Christian High.{{cite news|last=Emmons |first=Mark |title=San Jose State basketball: Adrian Oliver can deliver stats, but can he produce wins? |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_16812470 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |date=December 9, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816021504/http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_16812470 |archivedate=August 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}

When San Jose State beat Oregon 75–72 on November 20, 2010, that was the first time SJSU beat a Pac-10 team since 1992. Prior to that game, Oliver had 1,066 career points, the 10th-highest all-time total among Spartans men's basketball players. By December 2010, Oliver became the Spartans' lead scorer, having scored 34 points in the season opener 67–60 victory against Eastern Washington and 35 points in an 80–77 victory over UC Riverside. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Oliver was the top scorer of all San Francisco Bay Area college basketball players.{{cite news|last=Kroner|first=Steve|title=Adrian Oliver thinks, therefore he scores|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Adrian-Oliver-thinks-therefore-he-scores-2453789.php|archivedate=2011-06-29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629042346/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2FSPSD1GNQ5H.DTL|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=December 10, 2010|pages=B7|url-status=live|access-date=2017-11-08}}

In the 2011 WAC men's basketball tournament, eighth-place San Jose State beat fifth-place Hawaii 75–74 after Oliver scored a jumper with 5 seconds left.{{cite web|title=San Jose St. 75, Hawaii 74|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310680062|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708060720/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310680062|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2012|work=ESPN.com|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=March 11, 2011|date=March 9, 2011}} The Spartans then defeated fourth-place Idaho 74–68. However, in the semifinal game, San Jose State lost to first-place Utah State 58–54. Oliver missed a potentially game-winning three-pointer with eight seconds remaining in the second half, and Tai Wesley made two free throws to seal the victory.{{cite web|title=Utah State fights off San Jose State for spot in WAC final|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310700328|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317005847/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310700328|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 17, 2011|work=ESPN.com |publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=March 11, 2011|date=March 11, 2011}} San Jose State finished 2010–11 with a 17–15 record including 5–11 in regular season WAC play.

Professional career

Oliver went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. On August 25, 2011, he signed a two-year deal with Aris B.C. of Greece.{{cite web|title=ARIS BC seals the deal with Adrian Oliver|url=http://www.arisbc.gr/en/ARIS-BC-seals-the-deal-with-Adrian-Oliver|work=ArisBC.br|accessdate=August 27, 2011|date=August 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003043921/http://www.arisbc.gr/en/ARIS-BC-seals-the-deal-with-Adrian-Oliver|archive-date=2011-10-03|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Adrian Oliver is a new rookie for Aris Thessaloniki|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/88223/adrian-oliver-is-a-new-rookie-for-aris-thessaloniki.html|work=Sportando.net|accessdate=August 27, 2011|date=August 25, 2011}} In October 2011, Oliver scored 16 points in Aris' 80–59 Greek Basketball Cup loss to defending Greek Cup champions, Olympiacos B.C.[https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ Greek Cup, eighthfinals: October 12, 2011] In November 2011, he left Aris after appearing in just three league games.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/euro/players/adrian-oliver-1.html|title=Adrian Oliver Europe Stats|work=basketball-reference.com|accessdate=July 15, 2016}}

On December 10, 2011, Oliver signed with the Sacramento Kings.[http://www.nba.com/kings/news/press_release_2011_12_10.html Kings sign Lawrence Hill and Adrian Oliver] He played one minute in a preseason game on December 17 against the Golden State Warriors, recording one rebound. He was later waived by the Kings on December 21, 2011.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160808175026/http://www.nba.com/kings/news/hill_oliver_waived_press_release_2011_12_21.html Kings Waive Lawrence Hill and Adrian Oliver] On December 28, 2011, Oliver was acquired by the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League.[http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/bighorns_acquire_adrian_oliver_2011_12_30.html Bighorns Acquire Adrian Oliver] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812003138/http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/bighorns_acquire_adrian_oliver_2011_12_30.html |date=2013-08-12 }} On January 11, 2012, he was waived by the Bighorns due to injury.[http://www.nba.com/dleague/transactions_201112.html 2011-12 Transactions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031004037/http://www.nba.com/dleague/transactions_201112.html |date=2013-10-31 }} Oliver averaged 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game with 39.3% field goal shooting in five games with Reno.{{Cite web |url=http://stats.nbadleague.com/playerProfile.html?PlayerID=202935 |title=NBA Development League Stats – Adrian Oliver |access-date=2014-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713104627/http://stats.nbadleague.com/playerProfile.html?PlayerID=202935 |archive-date=2015-07-13 |url-status=dead }}

On November 1, 2012, Oliver was reacquired by the Bighorns.{{cite web|title=RENO BIGHORNS ANNOUNCE 2012-13 TRAINING CAMP INVITEES AND COACHING STAFF |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/reno_bighorns_announce_201213_2012_11_01.html |work=NBA.com |accessdate=November 15, 2012 |date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128130351/http://www.nba.com/dleague/reno/reno_bighorns_announce_201213_2012_11_01.html |archivedate=November 28, 2012 }} In Reno's one preseason game, a 111–103 win over the Idaho Stampede, Oliver recorded 8 points and 1 assist.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20121119/IDARNO/gameinfo.html |title=NBA Development League: Stampede at Bighorns Game Info |website=NBA.com |access-date=2012-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228145006/http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20121119/IDARNO/gameinfo.html |archive-date=2012-12-28 |url-status=dead }} On November 21, 2012, he was waived by the Bighorns.

On August 8, 2013, Oliver signed with Stelmet Zielona Góra of Poland for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=David Barlow, Adrian Oliver signs with Stelmet Zielona Gora|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/poland/104804/david-barlow-adrian-oliver-signs-with-stelmet-zielona-gora.html|work=Sportando.net|accessdate=August 13, 2013|date=August 8, 2013}}{{cite web|title=STELMET ZIELONA GORA lands scorer Oliver|url=http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2013-14-signings/i/115332/8177/stelmet-zielona-gora-lands-scorer-oliver|work=Euroleague.net|accessdate=August 13, 2013|date=August 9, 2013}} However, he was released by Stelmet a month later due to a range of injuries.{{cite web|title=Adrian Oliver poza Stelmetem|url=http://www.basketzg.pl/druzyna/aktualnosc/adrian-oliver-poza-stelmetem|work=basketzg.pl|accessdate=January 7, 2014|language=Polish|date=September 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108081321/http://www.basketzg.pl/druzyna/aktualnosc/adrian-oliver-poza-stelmetem|archive-date=January 8, 2014|url-status=dead}}

In November 2013, Oliver joined the South Houston Assault of the American Basketball Association to attend their training camp.[https://www.facebook.com/southhoustonassault/posts/183790601812541 South Houston Assault set their 2013-14 Training Camp Roster]

In March 2014, Oliver signed with the Taranaki Mountainairs for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season.[http://nzhoops.co.nz/mountain-airs-recruit-new-imports/ Mountain Airs Recruit New Imports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303062820/http://nzhoops.co.nz/mountain-airs-recruit-new-imports/ |date=2014-03-03 }} On May 10, 2014, he recorded a franchise-high 42 points in a 126–90 win over the Super City Rangers.{{cite web | url=http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/three-in-a-row-for-braimoh/ | title=Three in a row for Braimoh | work=Basketball.org.nz | date=May 15, 2014 | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140518172942/http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/three-in-a-row-for-braimoh/ | archivedate=May 18, 2014 | url-status=dead}}[http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?client=11-8336-114266-298804-20462742&sID=&action=PSTATS&pID=197919120 Player statistics for Adrian Oliver] On June 9, 2014, he was released by the Mountainairs due to injury and clashes with management.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/10138514/Airs-dump-import-Oliver Airs dump import Oliver][http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/10142321/Steep-climb-remains-for-Taranaki-Mountain-Airs Steep climb remains for Taranaki Mountain Airs]

On August 22, 2014, Oliver signed a one-year deal with Fuerza Regia of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.[http://www.sportando.com/en/world/america/132233/adrian-oliver-signs-with-fuerza-regia-monterrey.html Adrian Oliver signs with Fuerza Regia Monterrey] He made just one appearance for the team in 2014–15, scoring six points on February 21, 2015, against Gansos Salvajes.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lnbp.com.mx/web2/admin_lv2/estadisticas/concentrado_lnbp_2014.php?id_juego=267&action=resumengral |title=Fuerza vs Gansos |access-date=2015-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155118/http://www.lnbp.com.mx/web2/admin_lv2/estadisticas/concentrado_lnbp_2014.php?id_juego=267&action=resumengral |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }} Later that year, he had a three-game stint with Mineros de Caborca.