The 13th Basketball Without Borders Asia camp – hosted by FIBA and the National Basketball Association (NBA) – was deemed a massive success for the 10 Kiwi athletes who participated, with several of the players among the top award getters at the conclusion of the four-day camp.
New Zealanders Elise Gilbert, Olivia Lassey, Kavanah Lene, Rebecca Moors and Amy Pateman, Julius Halaifonua, Carter Hopoi, Ryan Hunt, Tamatoa Isaac and Kahuranaki Treacher all travelled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 2-5 June to be part of this elite basketball skills camp, with each participant individually selected by the NBA and FIBA based on their outstanding basketball skills and leadership abilities.
The prestigious camp provided a unique opportunity for the 40 female and 40 male participants to improve their basketball talents, be coached by FIBA/NBA players and coaches, and get to know other basketball players their age from the region.
DAY 1 RECAP
Basketball without Borders tipped off the 13th BWB Asia Camp at New York University Abu Dhabi, with an opening ceremony to welcome to participants from around the world.
In the afternoon session, campers participated in a series of on-court drills focusing on enhancing fundamental basketball skills, learned a combination of team offensive and defensive concepts, and competed in 5-on-5 games.
NBA player Saddiq Bey from the Atlanta Hawks, says it was a great experience to be part of.
“I’m excited to be part of my first Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp and experience the unique brand of basketball played on this side of the world. BWB is a great reminder that basketball transcends cultural boundaries and I’m looking forward to maximizing this opportunity to engage and connect with the boys and girls through our shared love for the game.”
DAY 2 RECAP
Day two began with the participants warming up, before participating in fundamental skills development activities.
During Day 2, campers experienced advanced basketball instruction from NBA players and coaches and participated in variety of drills, including team offensive and defensive concepts, ball screen actions, ball handling and passing, and shot creation and finishing, before proceeding with the team practice and exhibition games.
The top high-school age prospects were assigned to their teams, with the boys drafted into the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers, and the girls divided across the Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics.
Prior to the games, boys and girls engaged in a three-point shootout contest among their teammates.
DAY 3 RECAP
Day three again saw the participants warming up before participating in a new series of skills development drills and situational workouts led by NBA players and coaches. Concurrently, the BWB Asia Camp staged the boys and girls finals of the 3-point competition.
After the skills stations and 3-point shootout, NBA assistant coaches John Bryant, Ryan Forehan-Kelly, Jim Moran, Ryan Richman, Sean Sweeney and Mike Weinar, NBA Global Academy Technical Director Marty Clarke and NBA Basketball School Dubai Technical Director Phil Galvin led each of their team’s practice session to review their offensive sets and defensive schemes prior to the exhibition games.
DAY 4 RECAP
The fourth and final day saw the campers taking part in a Q&A with NBA veterans Taj Gibson, Rodney McGruder and Detroit Pistons assistant coach Jim Moran. During the session, Gibson expressed the importance of having the right mentality when playing, while McGruder and Moran both shared the determination, will and focus needed for players to reach the NBA.
Upon the conclusion of the panel, campers proceeded to warm up and prepare for the playoffs, which saw the Boston Celtics face the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks match up against the Brooklyn Nets in the boys division. After advancing to the boys championship game, the Boston Celtics – which included Kiwis Julius Halaifonua and Ryan Hunt defeated the Brooklyn Nets in the finals, 24-22.
On the girls side, the playoffs featured the Chicago Sky against the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces against the New York Liberty. The girls final saw the Las Vegas Aces outlasting the Chicago Sky, 28-17, which were led by Yeseul Choi and New Zealand’s Rebecca Moors combining for 15 points; Elise Gilbert also on the winning side.
The 13th BWB Asia Camp culminated with the Awards Ceremony, which recognized Sienna Harvey and Jacob Furphy as the Kim Bohuny BWB Asia 2023 Camp MVP for the girls and boys division, respectively. In addition, Kiwis Kavanah Lene, Rebecca Moors and Amy Pateman were named to the Girl’s All-Star team, while Julius Halaifonua, Tamatoa Isaac and Kahuranaki Treacher were selected to the Boy’s All-Star team.
