Position: Forward
Birthdate: 9/7/1998
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Previous Club: FC Tucson
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Height: 5-7
Shakeem “Shak” Adams enters his first season with the Battery after signing with the club ahead of the 2022 season.
Born in Kingstown, St. Vincent, before growing up in Nashville, Adams arrived in Charleston following a productive two-year stint with USL League One side FC Tucson, where he appeared in 40 matches for the club. He joined Andrew Booth as new Battery players making the move up from League One to the USL Championship this season.
Adams helped lead Tucson to a spot in the 2021 League One Playoffs where they defeated the Richmond Kickers 1-0 in the quarterfinals, before falling to eventual champions Union Omaha in the subsequent round.
During his two seasons in Arizona, Adams tallied 12 goals, four assists and 32 chances created. Adams’ versatility as a player has seen him deployed as a winger on both sides of the pitch, up top and in the midfield.
Adams was tabbed the Week 21 Player of the Week for his exceptional performance against Greenville Triumph SC, when he scored both goals in Tucson’s 2-1 victory over Greenville. He was again named to the Team of the Week in Week 30 after scoring the game-sealing goal that sent Tucson into the Playoffs, a 4-2 victory over Richmond.
In addition to creating opportunities for his side, Adams was very smart with the ball, completing 80.6% of his passes, a mark that would slot him in the top-six with the 2021 Battery team.
Prior to signing with Tucson, Shak was selected by Nashville SC 54th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
Adams played collegiately at Florida Gulf Coast University from 2016 to 2019 and rejoins former FGCU teammate Preston Kilwien in Charleston. The two played together from 2016 to 2018. Adams enjoyed a successful tenure with the Eagles where he earned first-team All-ASUN Conference honors his sophomore, junior and senior years. Adams left his mark on the program’s record book too, becoming the all-time leader in assists (16) and tying for most game-winning goals (eight). He also tallied the second-most goals in school history with 23.
During college, Adams played in the USL League Two with the Nashville SC U23 team 2017 and the Seattle Sounders FC U-23 squad.
