"It's a good opportunity to face defenders who are 6ft 8in (2m) or higher. Over there I played small forward, getting into it as a young kid against teams like Hong Kong and China, of course you're a bit shaky, but I started to build my confidence.
"Just placing over there [was a highlight]. We're probably one of the smallest countries but we showed the world what we can do," he said.
Winning bronze meant the team qualified for the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina in June.
"For me personally, I just need to start working more on my fitness and my outside perimeter shooting. I want to get a lot stronger because, over there, kids are huge these days and physical."
Sharne is from an active family and said he was always motivated to play sport by his older brothers.
"We're a sporty family so I was always going out watching my older brothers play. It seemed like a lot of fun, so I thought I have to give it a go. It's just what makes me happy I guess, being on the court playing with your friends and enjoying the experience with them."
He was grateful to those at the school who had supported him getting to where he is today.
"All the coaching staff have put a lot of work into this whole school, I can't thank them enough. It was good to have Doug at the champs as well.
"Our coaches always make sure I'm on top of my schoolwork, so I obviously have to put that ahead of basketball. Schoolwork comes first."
He said Rotorua's Steve Adams, who is playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs, was a good role model.
"He's just a young kid from Rotorua that can show no matter where your from you can get up there."
Adams' basketball career in America started when he received a scholarship to play at the University of Pittsburgh.
"To get a scholarship over in the States, that would be my big-time dream," Sharne said.
