Schoolboy star states case for dream move

"New Zealand has some good players now. Our skill level is up there." Haize Walker

Haize Walker has no doubts where he wants his basketball career to lead him - college in the States.

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School point guard is hoping to use the Secondary Schools National Championship in Palmerston North this week to showcase his ability to handle the pressure.

Despite being a year 12 student, Walker is one of the senior members of the Boys’ High team.

His leadership was on full display during his side’s 76-73 win over Rosmini College yesterday. He was just one point and two rebounds shy of a triple-double - he had eight points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

The win over Rosmini College was a key step on the team’s drive for a string result.

‘‘It has been our goal all season to finish in the top eight,’’ he said.

‘‘That has got us one step closer to our goal so we are pretty happy with that.

‘‘We know we can play against the big teams now.’’

Walker believed they were good enough to win the competition. A top result a nationals would go a long way to helping him on his dream of picking up a scholarship to study in the States.

He was in America earlier this year with the impact tour and said there was a big difference in the level of basketball.

‘‘It was a lot faster than over here.

‘‘But I think New Zealand has some good players now. Our skill level is up there, but it is probably the athleticism over there that is higher. That is something that can be trained and worked on.’’

Walker looked to two NBA point guards as inspiration for his game.

‘‘Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry are my two idols,’’ he said.

He said shooting and the mental side of the game were two areas he was focusing on at the moment.