Artist hopes Steven Adams painting will help young basketballers

Artist Angelique Monaghan is selling an oil painting of Steven Adams to raise funds for her son's basketball team. Photo / File

An oil painting of basketballer Steven Adams is up for grabs on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to the Kapiti Under-15 Basketball Rep team.

The piece was painted by a parent of one of the boys and local Kapiti artist, Angelique Monaghan.

"Steven Adams is a Kiwi guy who has hit the big time with his skill and dedication, proving that anything is possible if you put the work in, so what better role model to paint," she said.

The artist has had life deal her a few more obstacles than most.

Work in progress: Angelique working on the oil painting. Photo / Facebook

In 2015 Monaghan and her family were evactauted from their Raumati home after it was flooded.

A Givealittle page set up for the family failed to reach more than $100 in donations.

It's not the first natural disaster the family has faced - in February 2011 she and her three children lost everything in the Christchurch earthquake.

Monaghan had continued with her art and said painting Adams' portrait was "a great way to help support young sportsmen".

Monaghan's son plays in the Kapiti Under-15 Basketball Rep team, who qualified for the BBNZ National Tournament in Wellington from 20-22 July - the first time a Kapiti team has qualified in 10 years.

"But in order to get there they need to raise the money to enter."

She hopes the oil painting will raise enough funds to cover the entrance fee and other associated costs of attending nationals.

The 400 x 500 mm painting is oil on canvas and comes signed by the artist and ready to hang.

Steven Adams is the 2.3m tall New Zealand-born professional basketballer currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association.

His sister Valerie Adamas is a double Olympic gold medalist and brother Sid Adams, Jr. is a NZNBL player.

You can bid for the painting to support the Kapiti Under 15 Basketball Rep team here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1121030386