NBA star Steven Adams hopes the first basketball court bearing his name will inspire the next generation of players.

Adams was in Palmerston North on Saturday for the opening of the Raleigh St Reserve, which includes a Steven Adams basketball court, the first in the country to bear his name.

A large crowd turned out for the opening of the reserve, which has a covered barbecue area, playground, basketball court and two new Māori carvings, as well as gardens that will be completed later in the year.

There is a mural on the court by graffiti artist Askew One.

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WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Steven Adams gets a selfie with his Palmerston North fans.

Adams wasn't doing interviews, but spoke to the crowd.

"I did help put the court here, but it's a family thing," he said. "This court is for our babies, all the kids. Have fun using this court.

"It's important we treat this as a family project and we try [to] maintain it as long as possible. Thank you for allowing me to do this. It's an honour.

WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Steven Adams stands under the Steven Adams hoop.

"It's a gift from us to you guys."

Adams and his entourage were given a traditional Māori welcome and a group of Monrad Intermediate School pupils sang waiata.

Twelve-year-old Casey Ross-Etita, of Monrad, was in the group that welcomed Adams on to the court and briefly spoke to him.

"It was awesome," he said. "I wanted to play him. I wanted to one v one him."

WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Everyone was keen to get as close to the big man as possible.

Casey, who plays basketball for the Monrad Royals, was chuffed he got to high-five Adams, which he managed despite the significant height difference.

Rodney Wong, of Awapuni Rotary, said nearly $200,000 was raised for the project.

"It's a start and it gives all the neighbours around here something to be proud of," he said.

Wong said the project was about different people from Awapuni pulling together, which should help develop new role models.

"It's the long-term aspiration of the kids and it now can be set a bit higher," Wong said.

WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Steven Adams holds court on an eponymous court in Palmerston North.

Adams plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is holding training camps while he is in Palmerston North and there are two basketball games at the Arena on Sunday for two Steven Adams invitational teams.

The transformation of the reserve started when community member Daryl Anne George asked the Palmerston North City Council to consider improving free recreation facilities for young people in the area.

Awapuni Rotary got involved, then along came the Sports Pathways Trust, with Adams' brother Rob Tuilave providing the link between the basketballer and the project, helping secure the United States-based Kiwi basketballer's name and support.