SKYCITY Breakers point guard Shea Ili has been given the "opportunity of a lifetime" according to Head Coach Kevin Braswell, having been invited to an NBA mini-camp later this month.
The free agent mini-camp will be run by the Dallas Mavericks, and will take place on the 18th and 19th of June. Ili will be exposed to some of the top basketball players around and couldnt be more excited about the opportunity.
"Im really just looking forward to being in the environment and soaking it all up, its going to be pretty cool playing against some of those guys. Its going to help me heaps in terms of development."
The rising star will be looking to impress NBA officials, where he will also have the chance to play in the NBA Summer league after the camp. The Summer league will kick off on the 6th July and Braswell believes that if Ili performs well he has a high chance of making it.
"Its definitely achievable, and Shea has the determination and work ethic like no other."
Braswell couldnt be prouder of Ili, and says that his success stems from how committed he is to improve as a player on a day-to-day basis.
"I dont think people realise how much time and energy he has put into the game. It just shows that if you put time and effort into the sport that you love, good things will come out of it."
When asked about what this means in terms of strengthening the links between the NBA and NBL, Braswell says its "unreal."
"James Ennis who used to play for the Perth Wildcats was given a similar opportunity a while back, and hes been playing in the NBA for a couple of years."
"When you go over there you get to build relationships with key NBA decision makers, which is how opportunities present themselves."
Ili has the full support of SKYCITY Breakers CEO Matt Walsh, who is eager to see him achieve his long-term goals.
"We are extremely excited for Shea and support him fully in his ambition to become an NBA player. Sheas athleticism will allow him to compete at any level and we will continue to do everything we can to help him play at the highest level possible," says Walsh.
Ili has gone from strength-to-strength over the last couple of years, being named Most Improved Player in the NBL last season, as well as Most Valuable Player and Male Player of the Year at the Basketball New Zealand awards held a few weeks ago.
"Hes actually quite inspirational, people will fall in love with him because he is such a great success story," says Braswell.
Shea Ili
6 ft (183 cm), 85kg
Originally from Mangere, and played for Onehunga High School
Plays for the Wellington Saints, Tall Blacks and SKYCITY Breakers
Most Improved Player in the NBL (2017/18)
Most Valuable Player and Male Player of the Year at NZ Basketball Awards (2017)
Most Valuable Player in the NZ NBL (2017)
Named in the Asia Cup All-Five with Tall Blacks
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand
Shea Ili invited to play in NBA mini-camp with Dallas Mavericks
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