Adams’ visit would be ‘massive’

Justin Ludlow
Justin Ludlow
A visit from Steven Adams would be "massive" for the exposure of basketball.

That is the view of Basketball Otago general manager Justin Ludlow on the potential visit of the New Zealand NBA star.

The Oklahoma City Thunder big man is understood to be heading to Dunedin in August to run a basketball camp in conjunction with the Sporting Pathways Trust.

Dunedin lawyer Warren Alcock confirmed earlier this week he had been in discussions with the organisation for the past year.

However, he said the trip was not finalised yet, and some boxes still needed to be ticked.

Ludlow said if the camp was to happen it would be a huge boost for both the sport and the city.

"It’s massive for exposure of the game and particularly for the city," he said.

"We had conversations with Rob Tuilave and Warren Alcock over the last month or two months.

"It was really exciting to know they were looking at Dunedin as a destination for the camps.

"And just that we can be involved with what will be a really positive story for basketball in the region."

While the camp would not be run by BBO, he said the association would offer help with a lot of the background jobs.

That exposure would be key to the continued growth of the game.

It has been reported that, at secondary school level, basketball is the most popular participation sport in Otago, with 164 teams entered for the 2018 season.

"When you look at the growth of the sport, it is just going through the roof nationally.

"You look at the secondary school component here in Otago — we’re already under pressure this year where we’ve got an increase in secondary school teams again.

"You have to take into account all the exposure of the NBA globally now, which is a pretty big thing, and that the Breakers are doing a pretty good job here in New Zealand.

"Just the background stuff Basketball New Zealand’s doing as well is exposing kids and individuals to the game.

"It’s going through a really good period at the moment."

Kavanagh College duo Annabelle Ring and Anita Samasoni have been chosen for the New Zealand under-15 girls team to play in Papua New Guinea.

Southland’s Will Stodart was selected for the boys team.

Otago coaches Natalie Visger and Brent Matehaere will both travel with the sides as, the girls head coach and boys assistant coach respectively.

Otago’s Glenda Kaan is the girls team manager.

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