Things didn't go as planned for the basketball career of Tyler Adams. But it could have been far worse.

Adams was the third of three top 100 recruits signed by Georgetown in the fall of 2010, joining Otto Porter and Mikael Hopkins. As a senior in Brandon, MS, Adams averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds per game. He had verbally committed to Duke that spring, but then-assistant coach Robert Kirby was resolute in recruiting Adams and his appearance at the 2010 Midnight Madness was a sign that Adams would be headed north.

As a backup to senior Henry Sims, Adams saw little time in the team's first seven games, scoring two points over three games. On Dec. 4, Adams picked up eight points and six rebounds against NJIT in 11 minutes of play. Two days later, a announcement at GUHoyas.com reported that Adams was out indefinitely. "Adams is undergoing a series of tests and evaluations regarding his heart at Georgetown University Hospital. Until further notice, he will not participate in any basketball-related activities until cleared," read the release. Adams experienced chest pains in a practice and was taken to the hospital for tests. At issue was an irregular heartbeat that Adams had dealt with since childhood.

"My heart rate wasn't going up as high as it needed to be, and the doctor said I could play for 20 years and nothing happens, or I could play for two minutes and something could happen," Adams told the Georgetown Voice in January 2015.

The coaching staff opted to sit Adams, but maintained his scholarship. Although he considered transferring, Adams realized that the price of continued exertion could be deadly, and has transitioned to sideline support of the Hoyas, where he was on the bench for every game since. A day before the 2015 regular season finale versus Seton Hall, Adams learned of an NCAA waiver quietly pursued by Georgetown officials that allowed him to play, ever so briefly, in the game.

"[Coach Thompson] told me with the team yesterday," Adams said. "He called us together in a group and mentioned how he doesn't do what other coaches do with starting seniors, that it wasn't that big of a deal to him, but at the end of the conversation he said, 'But we're going to make an exception and start you.' I thought it was a joke. Everyone started laughing and it kind of shocked me, but everyone was excited when they heard the news."

Adams got the start at center. After winning the tip, he made his way into the lane, and Jabril Trawick's pass to Adams was left undefended by the Pirates. Adams got the ball, a little surprised that he was uncovered, then drove for an easy dunk and the 2-0 lead. The team quickly sought to stop play and Adams actually picked up a foul as the Hoyas were trying to call time out. With the whistle, Adams received a hero's ovation as he completed a career wholly unlike any of his fellow teammates.

"I had heard a lot of great things about the young man," said Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard. "I was really glad that he was getting a chance to start. I told my kids before the game and said, 'You know, guys, sometimes there's a bigger picture in life and just let him get it'...I didn't know what their plan was, but just tip it to him, let him score a layup. I was glad he listened to me, because I think, again, great kids should get rewarded in life and I think he's battled and it's great to see that happen."

Following graduation, Adams returned to his home state of Mississippi and is now the assistant basketball coach at Jackson State.