Steven Adams Photo: Photosport
New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams has jumped into Forbes' annual list of the world's top hundred highest-paid athletes.
The 2.13m Oklahoma City Thunder centre has annual earnings of $US23.5 million, coming in at No.86 in the top 100 rankings.
Adams, who joined Oklahoma City in 2013, signed a four-year, $US140 million contract extension with the Thunder in late 2016.
Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather has reclaimed first place from football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old American's earnings from last year's fight with Irishman Conor McGregor made him the world's best paid for the fourth time in seven years, with $US285 million.
Real Madrid striker Ronaldo ($US108 million) fell to third, behind soccer rival Lionel Messi ($US111 million).
Only the top three had earnings surpassing $US100 million.
Serena Williams, winner of 23 grand slam tennis singles titles, was the sole female representative last year but she has since largely been inactive owing to pregnancy and giving birth to daughter Alexis in September.
Though still substantial, her $US18 million off-court earnings from sponsors weren't enough for her to make the top 100.
LeBron James (basketball), Roger Federer (tennis), Stephen Curry (basketball), Matt Ryan (American football) and Matthew Stafford (American football) round out the top 10.
Tiger Woods is the top-ranked golfer at No.16, $US42 million of his $US43.3 million earnings coming through endorsements.
