Mr G pays tribute to Adams

They are two of the Bay’s most famous exports and both are making their mark on Oklahoma City in the United States.

Former Tauranga graphic artist Graham Hoete – a.k.a Mr G – has travelled to the American city to spray-paint a massive mural of Rotorua-son and Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams.



Former Tauranga graphic artist Graham Hoete is currently spray-painting a massive mural of Rotorua basketballer Steven Adams in Oklahoma City. Photo: Graham Hoete/Facebook

The 37-year-old artist, who’s currently based in Sydney, Australia, travelled to Oklahoma City earlier this week to paint the mural down the road from Chesapeake Energy Arena –home of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mr G was on route to Minneapolis to paint a tribute mural to legendary musician Prince and decided to stop in Oklahoma City to pay tribute to the NBA Kiwi basketballer, he told NewsOK.

“I thought well, man, I’m going to the U.S. and he’s just the man in New Zealand,” says Mr G.

“Their whole family, bro, is huge inspirations. Role models. I thought man I gotta get to Oklahoma. Just to show some love, bro. I can’t go to the U.S. and not do one of the bro.”

Mr G says he put out a call on his Facebook page to source a wall in the area, and after connecting with a local he whipped up the mural on Photoshop which was then presented to owners of The Paramount building, who gave the go ahead for the mural.

“The answer’s always no if you don’t ask. If I wouldn’t have found a wall, I wouldn’t have done it. So I’m stoked I have a wall,” he says.

The giant mural is expected to be completed by Wednesday (NZT).