Bay kids take to the court with Steven Adams

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams spent the day shooting hoops with more than 300 children at Mount today. Photo/Andrew Warner

More than 300 children had the experience of a lifetime shooting hoops next to Kiwi NBA basketball star Steven Adams at ASB Baypark Arena today.

Ten scholarships were awarded to Bay of Plenty children who attended a sold-out skills session training camp with the Oklahoma City Thunder player.

Mr Adams, 22, said the purpose of the training camp was to focus on the development of children "on and off the court."

"If kids want to play I want to help them take it to their full potential." Mr Adams said.

The training camps, which were organised by NZ Basketball Academy and Basketball Pathways, would also be held in Wellington tomorrow and Nelson on Monday.

Youngsters from Waikato, Auckland, Rotorua and Napier made the trip to the Bay to spend a Saturday with one of their heroes.

Basketball Pathways Chairman Spencer Webster said the event was to "create pathways in life for children through basketball".

"While the camps are about basketball skills, the broader plan is to provide opportunities for our kids through basketball," Mr Webster said.