Honestly, it’s awesome! I feel like it’s a dream come true to be able to play alongside some of the top ranked players for our age groups in America - some of who are already NBA prospects. More importantly, they are super good humans and really lovely people! The facilities are amazing! And my family are really supportive.

Top Tips: will soon be available over on my blog, if you want to read more about what I’ve discovered so far.

Honestly, it’s the first thing my parents used to always get asked. ‘Is he tall?’. Like everywhere they went where basketball came up in conversation.

And truthfully, being tall definitely helps to open doors. But no matter your height you have to be able to deliver on court.

In my prep team at Southeastern Preparatory Academy there are players 6’0” and 6’2”. And they are epic!

I also watch some of the NBA prospects in our other High School teams (who are 6’7” or taller) - and while height is on their side it’s also important to note that they also never miss a shot! They are always ‘on’, they are so dynamic, and they could jump through the roof!

So while height helps, effort matters more. Especially for the PG and SG spots, where there are more players hustling for positions!

For me. Being 6’4” might open doors, but it’s what I do once the door is open that matters more!

This is the question I hear the most, and I was reluctant too (so I get it).

The truth is that coaches DO look for players on X, and like to watch YouTube highlights too.

They also want to see full games. I was lucky I had some film on the main court at the Basketball New Zealand National Championship.

FREQUENCY:
You don’t have to post every day, or every week, but just make sure you collect film at all of your games and learn how to do your own stats (I used an app called Easy Stat App); that way at the end of a season or tournament you can put up a highlight and include stats.

Like all things, be consistent, especially doing the stuff you don’t like doing - because if you’re consistent and active and really lucky, a coach on X will reach out to you with an opportunity.

And if you want people to see your footage, it’s worth including 3-5 hashtags (which my mom and I would argue about, but eventually she won). If you want to read about why hashtags help, keep an eye on my blog where I’ll be sharing more about this soon.

This one is tough, because I was lucky enough to get spotted as a kid on a court.

How: I was at the local sports centre putting up shots - and a mens team turned up for a lunch time run.
They wanted the court (that they had booked) but didn’t have the heart to kick me off - so they invited me to join in. Of course I said yes. And funnily, they expected me to be scared of some guys and leave.

Instead their memory was of this 13 year old kid having the best time, and hustling with the men. One of the men on that court was Stevie Cozens, of Forge Sport, who specialises with helping Kiwi kids get to international baller opportunities. His specialty is player pathways.

He helped me make sure I was taking the right subjects at school. Encouraged me to film my games. Supported me to research USA colleges. Often kept it real, by talking about where I was realistically at (ability wise) - and what my options might be.

Even when the Head Coach of SEPA reached out to me on X, Stevie guided us through the process and helped with questions and making sure I did all the right things, at the right time, in the right way to get my US Visa approved.

You can probably still make it through the pathway to the USA without having a professional to help you, but it sure makes it easier to navigate if you do.

If you are considering working with someone, make sure that you feel their ethos fits well with your family values. Ask lots of questions. And don’t expect them to always tell you you’re awesome (because they won’t and if they do - that’s possibly not in your best interest).

Also, if you think an agent seems expensive - then do shop around and get some comparative options and quotes - so you find one that fits your budget and aligns with your goals.