Waihi’s hard work rewarded with Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp selection

Jayzelee Waihi’s inclusion in next week’s Basketball Without Borders Asia camp has extended New Zealand’s record attendance at an international gathering to eight.

The year 12 student at St Peter’s School, Cambridge will join seven other promising basketball prospects in Tokyo, Japan from August 14-17 to train and scrimmage against some of the best talent aged 17 and under in the Asia-Pacific catchment.

Her selection also means that there will now be three girls representing New Zealand at the four-day-long camp, accompanying Harbour duo Jazzmyne Kailahi-Fulu and Emilia Shearer.

Waihi said she was nervous for the trip but that it is a privilege to be chosen for such a prestigious event.

“It was a big shock to hear I’d been invited and it caught me off guard, I was actually in class when I found out.

“It’s a real honour to have this type of opportunity presented and the plan is to soak up every bit of knowledge they pass on.

“I know my coaches and parents are just as happy as I am with all of this and so I’m glad I get to do this for them as well. They’ve all sacrificed a lot and have been there for me when I needed it.”

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) hosted event is an elite skills camp which offers attendees the chance to train with the best basketball minds in the world.

NBA and Women’s NBA players and coaches will pass on their basketball nous through a series of different games and drills, whilst also opening themselves up for campers to pick their brains and seek advice for their journeys both on and off the court.

Basketball New Zealand General Manager Leonard King said Waihi has been rewarded for all the time and effort she has invested into her craft.

“Jayzelee’s inclusion in this camp is a testament to all of the hard work she has put into improving her game over the past year.

“I am thrilled for her and her family to be acknowledged and rewarded for all of their efforts and I am confident that Jayzelee will perform well against the best players in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Waihi’s rapid development in the past nine months elevated her to a member of the Waikato Wizards in the Women’s Basketball Championship and most recently she was named the Most Valuable Player at the AON Under 17 National Basketball Championships.

She is also preparing for the upcoming Schick AA North Island Premierships in early September. St Peter’s School, Cambridge is chasing back-to-back National titles and their fourth in the last five years.