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.

Fellow Indonesians Angelica Jenifer Candra of Pangudi Luhur 1 Yogyakarta junior high school and Vanissa Renata Siregar of Jakarta 19 state junior high school said the chance to play at the world championships was the biggest opportunity they had been given in the sport.

Coach Barroca said he was not surprised three Indonesian had been picked to represent the Asia Pacific region, noting that the country’s youngsters played with plenty of passion on the court.

“In the last two years, I have seen the passion grow with more and more kids playing basketball with better skills and better attitudes. So, the talent that is coming from this country is no longer a surprise to me,” he said.

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