If home is where the heart is, then Brandon Adams has found it in Hawai'i.

In less than two years, he has emerged as a key contributor for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, as well as an efficient student in media arts.

Most of all, he has flourished as a newlywed.

Adams is a senior forward for the Rainbow Warriors, and the only married player on the team. He and his wife, Jessica, live in an apartment just off the Mänoa campus.

"Me being married, I have a lot bigger responsibility to take care of (Jessica)," said Adams, 22. "People think it's kind of weird that I'm young and married, but I think it's been a good decision."

The holiday season happens to be a key stretch of the basketball season, and Adams said he gets stretched thin at this time of the year.

As a player, Adams has spent the past week practicing with the 'Bows in preparation for this week's Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Hawai'i is the host of the eight-team tournament, and each team will play three games in four days. Ten of the 12 games will be televised on either ESPNU or ESPN2.

Hawai'i, which is 5-4, is guaranteed at least two TV games.

"I'm more excited for this tournament than anything," Adams said. "I feel we can prove a lot to people all over the country."

If so, Adams will have to play a vital role. He was slowed by a sprained ankle at the start of the season, but is now considered a key player in the rotation of "big men."

In his last four games, he averaged 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, including a career-high 15 points at UC Irvine on Dec. 2, and a career-high seven rebounds against Chicago State on Dec. 12.

"He's always had the athleticism — he can run, he can jump," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "It was a matter of him understanding the offense and understanding his role with the team. I think he's more relaxed now, and so you're seeing some of that potential come out."

Adams has a vertical jump of 41 inches, and as a former track star in high school, he is one of the fastest runners on the team.

As a student, Adams completed his final exams last week. He is on pace to graduate in summer 2010.

Just like with basketball, Adams wants to "prove a lot to people" in the classroom.

When Adams was recruited to Hawai'i out of Diablo Valley College (Calif.) in 2008, the plan was for him to redshirt the 2008-09 season so he could adjust academically.

But shortly after enrolling at UH in August 2008, Adams opted not to redshirt.

"I guess you can look at it both ways," he said. "You can say I could have redshirted and I could play another year. But at the same time, not redshirting made me work (academically) so that I could graduate on time. So I think I made the right decision."

Once he graduates, Adams wants to chase dual dreams — hoops and Hollywood.

He said he wants to give professional basketball a shot, and then "work somewhere in Hollywood" as an actor, director or some other role in television or movies.

Don't put it past him. He already caught one of his dreams in Jessica.

As a husband, Adams had to juggle family time with his final exams and basketball practices last week.

"Just balance, time management," he said. "It's more of a motivation to do the best you can so you can make a good life for your family."

Brandon and Jessica were married in July 2008 in California. A few weeks later, they were in Hawai'i.

She is both his biggest fan and critic. "I know if I have a bad game because she'll tell me straight up," Adams said.

Jessica's family is in Washington; Brandon's family is spread between California and Washington.

"It definitely makes it hard, but we don't let it get to us," Jessica said. "It's what we have to deal with now."

Jessica works full time at Bank of Hawai'i to help pay the bills. Her job has also created friendships that have been irreplaceable.

Last year, they spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with Jessica's friends from work.

Last month, they hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, with Jessica preparing a complete turkey dinner for the first time. Some of Adams' teammates also joined them.

"She's a good cook," he said. "And the guys aren't going to turn down food."

Later this week, she'll try cooking a ham for Christmas dinner. Brandon's mother, Pam Adams, is on her first trip to Hawai'i this week, so that will help.

"I missed all that (last year) and it broke my heart, absolutely," Pam said. "However, I could hear in his voice he was happy."

But there will be something else to take care of on Christmas Day.

The final day of the Diamond Head Classic is Dec. 25, and the 'Bows are hoping to be in the championship game.

"That's the main focus," Adams said. "But it's also nice to go home to family no matter what happens."