FIBA U18 Oceania Championships 2016 hosts look to protect home court

SUVA (FIBA U18 Oceania Championships 2016) – This year’s FIBA U18 Oceania Championships host, Fiji, have announce their Men’s and Women’s player lists.

Fiji may not have the most experience rosters at this year’s tournament but this is not going to stop them from challenging powerhouses Australia and New Zealand in front of their home fans at Vodafone Arena, Suva

Suva natives, Josua Qalova and Colin Lal added something extra to their tournament preparations. Qalova and Lal were two of the athletes selected to attend the first ever FIBA Pacific Youth Leaders (PYL) Basketball Camp held on the Gold Coast, Australia in September earlier this year. They had the opportunity to learn from four (4) time Olympian and former Australian Boomers Head Coach Phil Smyth in the 9-day elite training camp.

Another member of the Fijian squad brings past FIBA event experience into the mix. Apisalome Lutuciri was a member of the youth national team in the 2014 FIBA U18 Oceania Championship.

Along with Qalova and Lal, Tiyana Kainamoli was in attendance at this year’s PYL camp. Kainamoli was able to receive one on one coaching from former Australian Opals and the winningest WNBL coach in history, Carrie Graph. This experience will help her take her game to the next level and improve upon her stellar performance from two years ago at the 2014 FIBA U18 Women’s Oceania Championship.

In 2014, Kainamoli averaged 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and a team leading 2.8 assists per game. Along side her will be fellow 2014 Fiji representatives Bitila Tawake (12.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game), Fane Rokowailoa (4.2 rebounds per game) and Kuini Ratumaiyale (5.7 points per game).

FIBA