Oklahoma City Thunder big-man Steven Adams just got a little bigger. The team center was the inspiration for a new mural outside The Paramount building in Film Row. Graham Hoete, who goes by Mr G, spray-painted the enormous mural to honor the fellow New Zealander.
Adams has become a household name in Oklahoma. According to ESPN.go.com, the pro basketballer posted an average of 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the Thunder’s postseason.
The center’s popularity has spread across the globe and into his home country.
Adams also became a worldwide trending topic among social media users after being kicked in the groin by Draymond Green during the Western Conference Finals.
Hoete said he heard of the ways Adams was giving back.
Hoete flew to the United States to paint a mural of pop icon Prince in the musician’s hometown, Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, after realizing he could pay tribute to one of his local heroes, Hoete visited Oklahoma City, too. Now based out of Sydney, Australia, Hoete was about 15 hours ahead of his usual time zone while in Oklahoma.
A spotlight was provided so he could paint after dark. Upon completion, Hoete invited Thunder fans to join him. Hundreds of fans swarmed Sheridan Avenue in hopes of participating in a group photo in front of the Film Row fan favorite.
The artist is off to Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, to show his respects to their cities’ stars.
Print headline: Mural mania
This article appears in Jun 29 – Jul 5, 2016.