New Zealand Basketball Under 17 Boys Philippines Tour

MY GOAL: “To be the absolute BEST that I possibly can be, to reach the pinnacle of my Basketball passion, & eventually make it to NBA! I aim to pass on basketball skills of excellence, to the younger generation, utilising te reo Maori!”

At my kura, Ngā Taiatea Whare Kura, I was awarded 'Te Hiringa I te Mahara' – (Top Academic Achiever) two years in a row, for Year 9 and Year 10, and also awarded Top Sportsman.

I suffered Meningitis three times between ages 6 and 10, but was determined to overcome that demise! I started my public career with Maori hip hop, just after recovering from the 3rd bout of Meningitis, winning talent quests and often performing with my taiaha to provide a cultural experience to contribute to my Mum and Dad’s numerous international conference presentations to share our indigenous intellectual Knowledge from a Maori perspective, for the benefit of future generations.

My other passions, besides Poitukohu/Basketball are: Maori martial arts (mau rakau), athletics, fitness, health & nutrition.

I helped my Dad carve out a half court goal shooting practice pad at our place on the mountain, it took us two years to save enough money and to work away at it every other weekend to complete, now all I need is to build a cover so that I don't have to practice out in the wet & cold. My basketball mentors have instilled in me to practice and play as much as possible - at home, at school and even when there is no hoop, just so long as I have got a ball I can practice anywhere, at any time! Almost everything I do, in many of my assignments at school are about Basketball, this strengthens my aims to be the best in the game!

I am inspired to help build inspirational, motivational & meaningful goals & pursuits for young people like my basketball-mad nephews Bronson & Arana, helping to equip them to tackle society’s greatest challenges; and make our communities stronger!

I have strong determination, commitment and dedication to succeed in my ultimate pursuits academically in education, to ensure I rise to greater heights while advancing my reo rangatira, I know I could expand my skills in my absolute passion of Basketball and follow in the footsteps of my mentor Steven Adams!

I am filled with gratitude to all my basketball coaches, life coaches, teachers at kura, whanau & friends; and appreciate any help I can get, nō reira ngā mihi whakamaanawa nui rawa atu ki a koutou katoa!