Basketball opens university doors

Basketball was the stepping-stone to an education in the States for 18-year-old Hannah Wentworth of Orewa, who was selected for a scholarship last year.

Last week she left for Utah State Eastern University, where she will do general studies followed by pre-med, as well as playing for the university’s Eagles team.

Playing basketball with her brothers, and at Red Beach Primary (along with touch, tag and volleyball) eventually led to specialising in basketball at Orewa and Rangitoto Colleges.

There were some anxious moments when the opportunity appeared to be slipping away because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but Hannah says her scholarship visa ensured she was still good to go.

She says her studies are the big focus, as well as adapting to the American style of basketball, which she says is not as fast as the way Kiwis play.