CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat

While showstopper Hassan Adams couldn't be happier for LeBron James' early success, the standout freshman is ready to step into the spotlight

When Hassan Adams saw what LeBron James did to his old high school on Saturday, he wasn't surprised one bit.

James, who is considered the best high school player in the nation and the consensus No.1 pick in the next NBA draft, scored 52 points for Akron, Ohio's St. Vincent-St. Mary against Adam's old team, Los Angeles' Westchester High School, at a tournament in Trenton, N.J.

"That was scary, and I knew it was going to come," said Adams, a freshman guard for Arizona. "He was fired up because everyone was on him. The press was on him about him taking this and that. I knew it was hurting him and his family, and I knew he was going to come and play. And he did."

There is no telling if James could have dropped 52 points if Adams was playing, but either way, it was still quite a game for the 18-year-old who is expected to make millions in a couple months.

"It doesn't bother me, but it's crazy," said Adams about James eventually jumping to the pros. "He's just blessed. He's out there doing what he loves to do. He is out there having fun, and I'm just happy for him."

Adams, who is six months older than James, met him at Michael Jordan Camp over the summer and was impressed with the prep-phenom then.

"I got a chance to play against him," Adams said. "He is a good person too."

Adams, before signing with Arizona, was also considered one of the top recruits in the nation. At Westchester, Adams was named Mr. Basketball in California and was also picked for the McDonald's All-American team.

But when it came to picking a school, Adams said he didn't feel like he turned his back on his hometown school.

"Going to UCLA was a possibility because it was close to home, and I gave it some thought," said Adams about tonight's opponent. "It was nothing against UCLA. When Coach O came to visit, I just felt that he really wanted me here. I was thinking about how Coach O put people in the pros, and also, the team was great."

Adams immediately made an impact on the court for the nation's No 1 team. He led the Wildcats in scoring in four of his first 13 college games and was also named the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl Classic back in December.

But recently, his numbers have been dropping in both minutes and points.

After averaging 13 points in his first 13 games, he is just scoring over five points per game in his last seven.

"I just need to start working harder," Adams said. "Coach O is not playing me, so I must be doing something wrong. In the Washington games I think I hit a wall, and I want to knock it down and get around it. I need to ask the coaches what I need to do."

Lute Olson said Adam's struggles of late can be contributed to one thing ÷ poor practices.

"He did not have good practices last week and it showed on Thursday," Olson said. "Hassan played well at Washington State; he did not play well at all at Washington. But he hadn't practiced well either."

Olson did say however that Monday's practice was one of the best of the season for everyone.

"I'm ready (tonight) to come out and play my game," Adams said.

If Adams does get his game back, you can be sure Olson won't reward him with throwback jerseys or a Hummer, but the coach might grant the freshman a little more court time.

That itself would make Adams content.