Sam Aruwa On Grammar Basketball & Vegas!

Sam Aruwa is one of the leading basketball players at Auckland Grammar School. The year 13 power forward has represented the New Zealand Under-17 team. He also toured Australia with the New Zealand Under-16 team in 2013. New Zealand won three out of four games and Aruwa was the highest scorer in two games.

In July 2015 he travelled to Las Vegas on a college scouting camp. Aruwa speaks about these experiences below:

When did you start playing Basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was in Year 4. I started to take it seriously in Year 7. I have always been a small or power forward.

Tell us about your trip to Las Vegas and the style of play over there?
It was held in July and was a tournament featuring 200 High Schools in the USA. New Zealand entered a team and each team was graded from elite to platinum, gold to bronze. We were matched up in the silver category and made it to the round of 16. I found the American style of play really different to New Zealand. The athletes are so big, quick and skilful. Also one or two guys tend to dominate the scoring.

Auckland Grammar is having a strong season. What is the main goal in 2016?
Our goal is to win Nationals, but it will be tough. Our results in Auckland have been good. We have beaten Westlake Boys’ High School who were runners up last year and Rangitoto College who might be the favourites for Nationals because they have Tai Wynyard. We believe we can compete with any team on our day.

What is the goal for the future?
I still have another year of school. I want to get good grades because that’s really important. I would like a crack at college in America. Playing in Las Vegas gave me a good idea of how tough that is.
​
Who is your favourite player?
Russell Westbrook.

---