Adonal was born and raised on the tiny island of Canouan, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His childhood was humble—he grew up in a village where paved roads were rare, books were shared, and electricity was often unreliable. He studied by the flickering light of a kerosene lamp, carried water from the river, and rode a donkey to school each morning.

And he was tall—very tall. From a young age, Adonal felt different from his peers. His height drew attention, and while some children might have shrunk from the spotlight, Adonal struggled to understand where he fit in. There were no basketball courts in his village. He didn’t even know what the game was until a visiting coach saw his height and potential.

At just 15 years old, Adonal left his family and everything he knew to pursue an education in the United States. It was a bold move, filled with uncertainty—but also with the spark of something greater.

Through hard work, kindness, and perseverance, Adonal found his footing both academically and athletically. He became Colgate University’s all-time leading rebounder, earned a degree magna cum laude in history, and made history again as the 8th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

He would go on to play for 13 years in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies—not just as a fierce defender, but as a respected teammate, leader, and advocate.