NBA boost for 16 Malaysian players
boys and eight girls from the Jr NBA National Training Camp made a big step on Sunday towards becoming future stars for Malaysia.
The boys selected as All-Stars for this year’s programme are Lee Yong Ding (SMK Seri Mutiara), Lee Qing Hui (SM Chong Hwa), Sin Yudas (SMK Bandar Utama Damansara), Garrison Tan (Sri Kuala Lumpur Secondary School), Lee Yong Jin (Sekolah Seri Suria), Khoo Jie Jin, Ooi Rui Ren (both Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Pahang) and Juan Tze Kai (SMK Kota Kemuing) who was also named most valuable player.
The girls selected were Joey Sim (SMJK Chan Hwa), Ng Sze Hin (SMJK Notre Dame Convent), Cheong Lei Keng (SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara), Lai Chen Xin (SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 2), Cheong Pui Khee, Sammi Tan (both Sek Sukan Malaysia Pahang), Hin Jia Yi (SMK Tanah Merah) and Ong Zi Ying (Sek Sukan Malaysia Pahang) who was named most valuable player.
The 16 players, who were selected among thousands of school children that participated in the programme, will be sent for an International NBA Experience Trip in Shanghai with their regional counterparts from five other countries next month.
Rob Newson, who headed the coaching aspect of the programme, hopes those selected will continue to work on improving themselves.
“The whole process, with the thousands of kids from the schools that took part, and the last few days with Malcolm Brogdon has been an amazing experience,” said the Englishman during the awards ceremony on Sunday.
“A message to the kids — being selected does not mean you have reached the pinnacle. There is still a lot of hard work to be done.
“When we get to Shanghai, we will be competing against players from other countries and hopefully that will be the start of your journey towards achieving your dreams.”
Brogdon, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year last year, spent the past week in Kuala Lumpur coaching the 100 finalists in the programme.
International NBA Experience Trip will see the 16 players taking part in coaching clinics and games with their counterparts from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.
They will also be able to watch an exhibition game between Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks. Dutch Lady is the Presenting Partner of the Jr. NBA National Training Camp.