By Kacie McMahon
Big 12 Campus Correspondent

Transfer Danielle Adams was part of one of the best recruiting class in Texas A&M women’s basketball program history, and she has not disappointed.

The junior center from Kansas City, Mo. has become one of the Aggies’ leading scorers and had the game of her career against Texas Tech on Jan. 23 with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.

“This is my first triple-double and to be named the 10th person in the Big 12 [to get a triple-double] and second in Texas A&M history is just exciting,” Adams said. “It’s an honor.”

Toccara Williams recorded Texas A&M’s first triple-double in 2002.

Adams enjoys her achievements but credits her teammates for her success.

“I give them all to my teammates because without them pushing me in practice and fouling me, I probably wouldn’t have gotten any of them,” Adams said of her awards, including Big 12 player of the week for Jan. 25.

Danielle has worked hard to become the player she is today. After being recruited by the University of Missouri out of high school, Adams first played junior college ball at Jefferson College where she improved her abilities. She was named the National Junior College Player of the Year as a sophomore.

“I just had to change my physical presence and work on my outside shot and also my inside game because I know it’s pretty big competition in the Big 12,” Adams said. “It’s more physical, faster so I had to get prepared for that.”

Her decision to come to A&M also did not come without a struggle, as she was recruited by several other Division I schools, including Louisville and Oklahoma State.

“I just felt like this was a family environment,” Adams said of her decision to come to Texas A&M. “They push me, help me get my game better and get me looked at by WNBA scouts. I trust the whole coaching staff and I love the players.”

Adams is grateful for the coaches who have helped her get in shape, allowing her to play over 30 minutes a game.

“I owe it all to the strength and conditioning coach working with me every day, 30 minutes to an hour everyday,” Adams said. “It’s helping me out. It’s making me lose a lot of weight and getting me up and down the floor.”

Because of her ability to play extended minutes, Adams has been mixed into the starting lineup. Though, she doesn’t care how she begins each game.

“Whether I come off the bench or start, I’m still here to execute the best way I can and try to help the team out,” Adams said. “Coach [Gary Blair] likes to have the presence off the bench and to get everything started and excited so he brings me off the bench most of the time.”

“Danielle is just a good basketball player that understands the game. She’s a complete player,” Blair said. “She’s very unselfish and she’s done everything we’ve asked of her.”

Adams just wants her team to have the best chance at postseason play. With an Aggie team that made it to the sweet sixteen last year and the elite eight in 2008, the team is looking to go even farther in the tournament this season.

“You hear a lot of people on ESPN telling us that we can make it to the Final Four,” Adams said. “This team can go all the way to the Final Four and may be able to win a national championship if we keep playing the way we play.”