NBA and Indonesia
Three Indonesian teenagers, Angelica, Brian and Vanissa, could not hide their smiles after hearing they had been picked for the Asia Pacific basketball team for the upcoming the 2019 Jr. NBA Global Championship, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, United States, in August. After showing off their skills and dedication at a two-day training camp at Pelita Harapan University in Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten, from Saturday to Sunday, Jr. NBA head coach Carlos Barroca announced on Sunday the names of 20 teenagers, 10 each for the boys’ and girls’ teams, who will represent the Asia Pacific team at the global championship. The 20 players were selected from 68 teenagers from 10 countries across the region, including Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines, who were selected to participate in the two-day training camp.
Brian Leonard, a 14-year-old student from Bunda Mulia private junior high school, said being selected came as a huge surprise for him. “I had a good time [during the camp]. I met new friends and experienced something new, despite the language barrier,” said Brian, who aspires to play in a professional league such as the NBA in the future.
Based in NY, the NBA (National Basketball Association) is an AICC member. Through contacts generated by AICC Indonesia is now the largest Asia presence for the NBA. Click here to view a clip on a recent training program in Yogyakarta.