MEET AND GREET: Police officers with Steven Adams and some of his Oklahoma City Thunder teammates in Christchurch yesterday.
By Bridget Rutherford at Star.Kiwi.co.nz
Canterbury Police have offered to trade some of their own - plus a puppy - for Kiwi basketball star Steven Adams.
Adams and some of his Oklahoma City Thunder team mates have arrived in Christchurch to host a basketball camp in Wainoni for young players aged 7-17.
They were welcomed to with a full haka and a powhiri at Nga Hau E Wha National Marae yesterday, in which police were invited to attend.
Canterbury Police posted a photo of Adams and Constable Sam Crozier on its Facebook page saying "TRADE ALERT".
The post said police were looking to trade Constable Crozier, new recruits from 2018 and 19, along with a police puppy, with Oklahoma for the 7ft NBA centre.
"Trust us, we've run it through the NBA on ESPN Trade Machine and it's sweet as," the post said.
Constable Crozier may be more handy on a basketball court than some might think.
He was a Christchurch Cougar in 2009 and 2010, and was in the Canterbury Rams from 2013-14, and Adams doesn't make him look small.
Canterbury Police commented on the post saying they had enough trouble trying to find clothes to fit him, let alone for Adams.
Adams is the brother of four time world champion shotputter Valerie Adams.
He played for the Wellington Saints in 2011 before playing college basketball for Pittsburgh.
He was drafted for Oklahoma in the 2013 NBA draft.
The Christchurch basketball camp is being held today at Celebration Centre in Wainoni.
Adams will host two more camps in Wellington and Auckland.
Basketball has 61% more players at the school level since 2000.