Stattmann shines for NBA stars

CAIRNS prodigy Kody Stattmann will be right under the nose of NBA scouts next week after being selected for the fourth annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Los Angeles during All-Star weekend.

The small forward, who has committed to US college Virginia, will be one of 43 prospects, ranging in age from 16 to 18 and from 36 countries, who will get measured, undergo athletic testing, practice, scrimmage and conduct drills in front of representatives of all 30 NBA teams.

Stattmann will also attend daily seminars for life skills and take in the Rising Stars challenge, dunk contest, threepoint shootout and All-Star Game at Staples Center.

The Cairns Marlins shooter is one of six Australians to be involved to the camp.

NBA players, including Al Horford, Goran Dragic, Domantas Sabonis, Timofey Mozgov and Sam Dekker, and coaches will help run the camp and share their experiences.

“(The camp) is a great opportunity for the top male and female prospects from around the world to compete against one another, learn directly from NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches, and experience the excitement of NBA AllStar,” said NBA vice president of international basketball operations Brooks Meek.

Stattmann and Cairns juniors Joel Matysek and Jakobe Hunter have this week represented Queensland at the Australia under-20 Junior Championships.

Queensland played the NBA Global Academy U20 Men, who fellow Cairns junior Tamuri Wigness is featuring for, in a quarterfinal last night.