Adam Hinton Set to Bring His Game to Kaohsiung Aquas in 2026 TPBL Season

Taipei: When Adam Hinton and his younger brother Robert returned to Taiwan for the 2023 William Jones Cup, they expressed a deep connection to the island, referring to it as their "second home." Now, Hinton is set to make Taiwan his professional home after being selected as the first overall pick by the Kaohsiung Aquas in the 2026 Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) draft. According to Focus Taiwan, Hinton's journey to the TPBL began after completing his final NCAA season at Cornell University. The Kaohsiung Aquas' General Manager, Wilson Lee, played a pivotal role in convincing Hinton to join the team, emphasizing the organization's family atmosphere and its strong track record of player retention. The Aquas' commitment to fostering a supportive environment resonated with Hinton, leading him to take the significant step of starting his professional career in Taiwan. Hinton, born to a Taiwanese mother and an African-American father, has maintained strong ties with Taiwan through family visits, bask etball, and national team appearances. His dual heritage allows him to be classified as a local player under TPBL rules, as he holds a Republic of China passport obtained before he turned 16. His involvement in Taiwanese basketball started years ago, with standout performances at the 2023 Jones Cup and the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, where he played alongside current Aquas veteran Hu Lung-mao. Standing at 194 centimeters and weighing 100 kilograms, Hinton has a substantial presence for a guard in Taiwan. His athletic prowess was evident in his final season at Cornell, where he averaged 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 48.3 from the field. Hinton attributes much of his success to his family's unwavering support throughout his career. Recalling how his parents made significant sacrifices to attend his practices, he emphasizes the importance of their encouragement during challenging times. Hinton's brother Robert also played a crucial role, providing competition and ca maraderie that helped him develop his skills. Beyond basketball, Hinton draws inspiration from both fictional and real-life figures. He admires the character Itachi Uchiha from the manga series "Naruto" for his protective nature and quiet dedication, and basketball legend Kobe Bryant for his relentless work ethic and determination. Hinton aims to embody these qualities, hoping to showcase his hard work and determination to Taiwanese fans. As he prepares to join the Aquas, Hinton is unfazed by the prospect of relocating to Taiwan, having spent years away from home in pursuit of his basketball dreams. He looks forward to embracing Taiwanese culture, particularly its cuisine, and is eager to improve his Chinese language skills to engage more deeply with fans and media. Away from the court, Hinton enjoys cooking, with his specialty being Chinese sausage over rice with spinach and egg. He also has interests in ceramics, sketching, and art. The upcoming TPBL season presents an exciting challenge, as the Aquas ai m to improve their standing after finishing last in the previous season. Hinton is motivated by the prospect of winning a championship and has an extra incentive: a promise from Lee to perform a rap if the team clinches the title. With training set to begin on August 1, Hinton is eager to make his mark with the Aquas and is confident that he is ready to "cook" on the court.