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Waitaki Boys’ High School basketball player Boston Cathcart is going global.
The year 10 student was selected for the Aotearoa Basketball under-16 boys team that will head to Las Vegas in December to compete in the Tarkanian Classic.
Aotearoa Basketball is separate from Basketball New Zealand. It is an independent organisation that aims to help players explore overseas options and gain exposure in the United States.
While not an official New Zealand team, there was still a selection process with players from all over the country taking part.
Boston was selected after a coach from Timaru had seen him play; in particular his MVP performance at the Under-17 Rising Stars game at the College Park Classic in Timaru in February stood out.
The 15-year-old was looking forward to seeing the competition in Las Vegas, he told the Oamaru Mail.
"I’ve never really seen high school basketball over there.
"I think it’ll be a good experience for me."
He plays in both the junior and senior A teams at Waitaki Boys’ High School.
The junior team is coached by his dad and former professional basketball player Ian.
"He’s coached me my whole life.”
The biggest thing Boston has learnt from his dad is "you put the work in, you’ll get better”.
His love for the sport began at birth, he said.
“I was born with a basketball beside me.
“When I was a toddler I had a little hoop and my dad was helping me and then [I] started actually playing in year 3.”
He loves meeting people through basketball and enjoys the competitive nature of the sport.
To help fund the trip, Boston is running a basketball camp during the school holidays next week with his senior A coach Toby Lewis for years 3-6 and 7-10 players.
The Tarkanian Classic will bring together some of the best high school basketball players in the US.