Young players keen to get tips from idol

PRO: Steven Adams will spend six hours passing on his knowledge to aspiring basketballers. PHOTO/NZME

TEN scholarships have been awarded to Bay of Plenty youngsters to attend a skills session with Kiwi NBA basketball star Steven Adams today.

Tauhara Chase, Taine Patterson, Vince and Jaedyn Lenden, George and Fergus Muir, Reuben Monk, Jacob Murphy, Belle Andrews and Gideon Hill will spend six hours with the player and learn from his skills, time and knowledge with 300 other aspiring young Kiwi players, who have paid for the experience.

Tauhara's mother Georgina Chase said her son was excited he would benefit from the NBA star's experience.

Although he picked up the sport only last year it was one he seemed to be in for the long haul, choosing this weekend's event over his rugby tournament in Rotorua, she said.

He first found his love for the sport when he filled in for a friend's team last year and had subsequently started training and competing for the Arataki Jordans every week, she said.

"He loves just being able to get in there, running around and grabbing the ball. I think he likes it because you can be quite aggressive in basketball."

Mrs Chase said her son was really keen on learning how to block: "He's quite short, my son, and obviously Steven Adams is a giant so he wants to know how to block a tall guy."

The scholarships were possible through the NZ Basketball Academy, Seeka, Barrett Homes and NZ Maori Tourism, with promotional support from Flava radio station.

"This was an awesome opportunity for Flava to team up with an amazing kaupapa, helping ensure these talented kids don't miss the chance to train with and learn from their idol," Flava radio announcer Pat Spellman said. "Times are tough, and I know parents would've loved to send their kids to a camp like this - but for whatever reason, that just wasn't possible ..."

Adams, 22, will be accompanied by Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coaches Mark Bryant and David Bliss, who were keen to check out the level of basketball in New Zealand and see the sights. Adams' brother and former Tall Black Rob Tuilave, who lives in Papamoa, told the Bay of Plenty Times arrangements had been confirmed and he was hopeful other NBA players would visit the Bay in future. "I spoke to Steven. There has been a lot of player movements this summer in America ... so his teammates won't be coming this year. But he is hoping, and they have told us themselves, they are keen to come over next year."

Kenny McFadden, an American former professional player who coaches in New Zealand, will also be at the Tauranga clinic with a team from Wellington. The session will be from 8.30am to 2pm at ASB Arena, Baypark.