This week in basketball, we begin a series of profiles of both local and overseas-based players who have stamped their mark on the national squad. We start with 22-year-old, Miliakere Koyamainavure of Raiwaqa who is not only playing the sport that she loves but is also giving the world a taste of Fiji's product.

The former Adi Cakobau School student has been playing in the US since 2012 after she was given a scholarship by the Oceania National Olympic Committee to play in the South West where she was recruited by Iowa Central and named 1st Team All-Region as a sophomore and 2nd Team All-Region as a freshman.

She made he debut in the U19 women's team in 2010 playing in New Caledonia, for the FIBA Oceania Youth Championship, winning bronze. She was named the top scorer of the tournament, averaging 20 points a game and was selected as a member of the Oceania All Stars Team.

Residing in Missiouri, she has put on the black and gold colours for the Griffons, Missiouri Western State University, and has been influential in the team's winning streak of four consecutive home games, securing a spot for the team in the MIAA Tournament (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association).

Mili is a "solid player who will come in and compete for a spot...has good quickness and will be able to match up with a lot of the bigger guard/forwards in the MIAA...has the ability to score and is a solid defender...she also good at the rebounds from the guard position" says her coach.

The second eldest of four children has made it a goal to do what is right and to get the best out of life by doing her part. "It's hard I literally have to study every day…..it's challenging but I like the challenge! Yeah go big or go home! I believe in building relationships."

She is majoring in accounting and has her sights on completing grad school, where she will study marketing. She is hardworking and diligent and knows that she couldn't have done it alone without the help and support from her family and friends.

"It's all about making the parents proud! I just want to show people that anything is possible and coming from somewhere little, and with what my parents could afford, you know I have managed to be where I am because of them".

Mili is part of the National Women's training squad that is now preparing for the 2015 South Pacific Games. Despite being in a different country she will adhere to the training program set by the national coaches and will undergo her tests as directed. She will be reporting to national women's coach, Laisiasa Puamau, and national women's manager, Tamara Smith on a daily basis.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper

Wednesday 25 Feb 2015