Rotorua basketballers put call out to Steve Adams with hashtag comehomesteven

Hundreds of Rotorua basketball players and fans are looking forward to the Tall Blacks playing Hong Kong here next month.

What would make them even more excited is if their hero Steve Adams was there.

Rotorua's most famous basketball export is in his off-season after the Oklahoma City Thunder were knocked out of the NBA finals and local fans are calling for him to return home next month.

The kids want Steven to "Come and Show Us how its Done!!!

Please share the post and include #comehomesteven #comeonStevenAdamsandshowushowitsdone

Posted by Rotorua Basketball Association on Saturday, 26 May 2018

Nearly 1900 Rotorua Basketball members, more than 1700 of who are youth basketballers, are hoping to entice Adams home by running the #comehomesteven social media campaign through their Facebook page.

The Rotorua Basketball Association, in conjunction with schools, are planning a series of videos that will include its members of all ages shouting "come home Steve" and are hoping they will go viral and attract his attention.

"Come Home Steven" Chant the Kids of Rotorua Basketball

The kids at the Rotorua Basketball Association have a LOUD message for #StevenAdams at training today! We want to try and get @Steven Adams home to Rotorua for the @Tall Blacks game here on the 28 June!! Spread and share the video whanau & lets get him home!!

Posted by Rotorua Basketball Association on Friday, 18 May 2018

The public can get involved by sharing photos of their own basketball skills, tagging the Rotorua Basketball Facebook page and including the #comehomesteven hashtag in their posts.

Rotorua Basketball Association development co-ordinator Sue Pene said having such high-level games played in Rotorua was inspiring for young players, with a number of them motivated by what Adams had achieved.

"It would be a great opportunity to watch their basketball idols in action and to have Steve there would mean the world to them."

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) game between the Tall Blacks and Hong Kong will be played at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Thursday, June 28. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Adams has not yet confirmed whether he will be in New Zealand when the game takes place.