Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is excited to announce the 11 young Kiwi athletes who will attend the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia Camp in Perth from 19-22 September.
The 11 New Zealand athletes in attendance will be:
New Zealand Men’s – Lachlan Crate, Oscar Goodman, Hayden Jones, Jackson Kiss, Troy Plumtree and Hunter Te Ratana.
New Zealand Women’s – Bailey Flavell, Keriana Hippolite, Pahlyss Hokianga, Graecyn Parahi and Kodee Williams-Sefo.
Run by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in collaboration with the National Basketball League (NBL), the four-day event sees 60 of the top high-school-age prospects – from over 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific region – travel to Perth’s Warwick Stadium for the 14th edition of BWB Asia Camp.
The six boys selected were all part of the New Zealand U17 Men’s National Team that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup in July this year, while the five girls were key members of the New Zealand U17 Women’s National Team that finished 12th overall at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico.
The list also features a trio of athletes that made their New Zealand senior national team debuts this year, in Hayden Jones (Tall Blacks), Bailey Flavell (Tall Ferns) and Pahlyss Hokianga (Tall Ferns).
Baynes & Cooper Highlight BWB Asia Camp
The campers will be coached by current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches, including NBA champion Aron Baynes (Australia) and four-time WNBA champion Cynthia Cooper. Current and former NBA assistant coaches Bobby Jackson (Philadelphia 76ers), Jay Larranaga (LA Clippers) and Terry Porter, and FIBA Players’ Commission member and former Australia Women’s National Team member Jenni Screen (Australia) will also serve as BWB Asia coaches.
President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches Patrick Hunt (Australia) will join as the camp’s director, while Kristen Crenshaw (Orlando Magic) will serve as the camp’s athletic trainer.
The players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including movement efficiency drills, offensive and defensive skill stations, three-point contests, 5-on-5 games, and life-skills and leadership development sessions.
A ceremony on the final day of the camp will award the Kim Bohuny Camp MVP, the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, the Three-Point Champion and the Defensive MVP to the male and female players who distinguish themselves on the court and as leaders.
BWB Asia this year will also be held in conjunction with the first-ever HoopsFest, a multi-day basketball competition and fan event hosted by the NBL and supported by Basketball Australia that will celebrate the biggest weekend in Australian basketball history through a series of basketball tournaments, events and festivities that will bring the Australian basketball community together in Perth.
“Recognition of our growing talent pool”
BBNZ General Manager of High Performance, Paul Downes says that New Zealand’s high attendance at this event is evidence of an abundance of young basketball talent in Aotearoa.
“Seeing 11 of New Zealand’s top age group players invited to this camp, serves as recognition of our growing talent pool in this country,” says Downes.
“It’s also highlights an incredibly successful year we’ve had at age group level on the international stage, particularly with our U17 men’s team finishing fourth at the U17 World Cup in Turkey. We’re excited about the future of these athletes – and for the opportunities our HP programme gives them to succeed on the big stage.”
BWB Asia, Perth: New Zealand Men’s Attendees
Lachlan Crate, Basketball Manawatu
Oscar Goodman, Basketball Taranaki / NBA Global Academy
Hayden Jones, Nelson Basketball Association
Jackson Kiss, Basketball Auckland
Troy Plumtree, Wellington Basketball Association
Hunter Te Ratana, Waitakere West Auckland Basketball
BWB Asia, Perth: New Zealand Women’s Attendees
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association
Keriana Hippolite, Brisbane Capitals (NBL1)
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Kodee Williams-Sefo, Harbour Basketball Association
