Basketball: US billets win tussle for pair

Hawke's Bay basketballers Jershon Tatana (left) and Amariah Luki ponder their futures in the United States. Photo / Warren Buckland

Two years ago Amariah Luki was approached by former Tall Blacks mentor Tab Baldwin to play for his Hawks basketball team in the NBL.

Although he was good enough he was only 15 and, after consulting with parents Kasey and Shane, he politely turned the opportunity down, stating he was too young.

Tomorrow small forward Luki and fellow St John's College player, point guard Jershon Tatana, will head to the United States for a two-month trial with the Wasatch High School team with the aim of securing high school scholarships.

"I want to follow a similar path to my hero Steven Adams and eventually score a college scholarship," Luki said.

A Hawke's Bay age group rep from under-13 to under-17 level, Luki, with Tatana, 16, travelled to the United States on an IMS Payroll Paul Henare and Paora Winitana Basketball Academy International Eye Open Experience in 2014.

Tatana spent a week with Tyler and Dana Dow who have children playing at the school.

"They were impressed with me and recently contacted Paora to see if I was keen and anybody else to give a scholarship a crack," Year 12 student Tatana said. "We go for two months and if it suits us and everything works out we come home and sort out our student visas and go back again. I'll go for two years and Amariah for one," Tatana said.

A former Manawatu under-13 rep, Tatana and his family moved to the Bay in 2013 so he could be involved with the academy.

Luki, who like Tatana started playing basketball as a 12-year-old, has been part of the academy since it was established in 2012.

"I have to thank Paora, another of our academy coaches Reece Tuala-Fata and mum and dad [Jason and Learna] for this opportunity," said Tatana, a big fan of former Lakers point guard Steve Nash.

"We can't forget our St John's coach Damian Whitten either," Year 13 student Luki said.

Former Tall Black Winitana said these opportunities were available for everyone.

"Not so long ago they were considered far fetched ... like a dream. Now they are a reality.

"Another school actually approached me about the pair but we decided Wasatch High School and the programme run by coach Jason Long was the right fit," Winitana explained.

"People talk about goal setting. These players are goal getters, talented players who are prepared to work hard. They are future decision makers and future leaders and if their scholarships work out we could end up doing this every year," he said.

"This is a big blow for Hawke's Bay but we have to do what is best for the young ones."

Winitana is confident the pair will follow a similar path to one of the academy's most famous exports, Tall Ferns forward Josie Stockill, a product of Napier Girls' High School.

Stockill recently completed her four-year stint at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, and is waiting to hear if she has been selected in the New Zealand team for the June 13-19 Olympic Games qualifying tournament in France.