Four youth ballers in running for two slots at adidas Nations basketball camps in China and United States

Story by Les Tan and Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Pictures by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Catholic High School, Saturday, February 21, 2009 – Four youth players impressed coaches and adidas Singapore enough to get a chance for two coveted spots at the upcoming adidas Nations basketball camps in China (May) and the United States (September).

The players are Blacks Ang Wei Xian (#42) and Adam Goh (#7), and Whites Lim Boon Kiat ( #40) and Ng Zhao Feng (#31).

All four players featured in the final game that saw Blacks edge Whites 69-64 to capture the adidas Nations Basketball League title.

The players expressed shock and amazement that they were chosen.

Said Boon Kiat, "I thought it would be Chua Soon Hua (Gold, #43)!"

"For me, Pek Jia Rong (Reds, #3) stood out and he would be my pick," added Adam.

"Yes, we are definitely extremely excited about the coming trainings and the camp if we get picked,” said Adam. “But it will require tough commitment on our part as we will have to balance school as well."

The four players will be required to train three times a week with Home United Basketball Club under the watchful eyes of Whites coach Koh Meng Koon.

When asked what the highlight of the adidas Nations Basketball League was for him, Adam said: “It was scoring the shot clock beater against the Reds to inspire the team to go on to win the game.”

Blacks went on to win the game against Reds in overtime. Adam was also top scorer for two out of three matches he played in.

The attempted dunk was the highlight for me,” said Boon Kiat, “even though it didn't go in!”

But all of them agreed that team work played a factor in getting chosen.

"For me, I believe it was the team work during the three matches that I demonstrated," said Wei Xian.

Four other players were also chosen at the end of the league by their respective coaches for a trip to Philippines in June 09 courtesy of adidas Singapore to take in an appearance by American baller Dwight Howard of the National Basketball Association.