After deciding to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2014 NBA draft, Adams was selected by Memphis Grizzlies in the first round with the 22nd overall pick.

When Adams was in the fourth grade and his life began to revolve around American football and basketball, he moved from his mother's house to his father's.

[3] He transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his final two seasons,[3] where he was the ninth player in their basketball program's rich history to score 1,000 career points.

[5] Adams in 2012 joined fellow incoming freshman Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson, and Tony Parker in a UCLA recruiting class considered the best in the nation.

[2] Without Adams, the Bruins lost their next two games, including a season-ending loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the opener of the 2013 NCAA tournament.

[11] Adams shot 50% from the field during the Bruins' non-conference schedule, and began Pac-12 play with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting against the USC Trojans.

[15] The Bruins won the tournament, with Adams hitting a three-point field goal that broke a tie with 45 seconds remaining in a 75–71 upset over No.

[18] In April 2014, Adams declared early for the NBA draft, foregoing his final two years of college eligibility.

[24] However, Head Coach Dave Joerger as well as the Grizzlies' fans preferred another shooting guard, Rodney Hood, who was taken next by the Utah Jazz with the 23rd pick.

[29] He began the 2014–15 season with minimal playing time with the Grizzlies, and received multiple assignments to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

In limited action, he shot 40 percent from three-point range and his active hands on defense led to a high steal rate.

[32][33] During the offseason, Adams underwent minor surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee after averaging 16 points in four games to help the Grizzlies win the Orlando Summer League in July.

[38][39][40] On June 15, Adams underwent cartilage transplant surgery on his right knee, a procedure that generally addresses issues with motion, bone damage and pain.

[41] The following month, he watched Grizzlies summer league games holding a crutch in one hand and wearing a knee brace.

[55] After a stint with Libertadores de Querétaro in July and August 2022, Adams played for Club Atlético Aguada in October and November 2022.