Orange basketballers selected for National Indigenous Basketball Tournament

Azariah Ah See, Justice Sharpe and Brayden Nean have all been selected in the NSW teams to compete at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament, while Jacob Young and Tanya Sharpe have been chosen as managers for the event.

Young has been coaching in Orange for many years, but when the time came to nominate himself for the managerial position, he declined. But that's not where his story ended.

"They were taking nominations and looked for expressions of interests and I didn't really think I had a shot at it, so I didn't go for it at all," he said.

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"Then I got a phone call on a Thursday afternoon saying they were in a meeting right then and I was their choice. They needed a yes or a no, so I thought why not."

While he believes his role will be largely about "dotting the i's and crossing the t's", he will be giving his all to ensure the kids get the most out of the experience.

"Giving this region an opportunity like this is massive because it's the opportunities that come with it," he said.

"It's a really awesome gateway for some of these young, talented athletes to get to the next stage and better themselves and their performances."

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Of those from around the country who will be competing at the event, ten male and female standouts will be selected to travel to America for further opportunities.

This was music to Ah See's ears.

"I felt proud of myself and excited about it," he said of being selected.

"I'm looking forward to the competition.

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"I want to go pro and I want to get picked to go to America."

For Tanya Sharpe, the event will be that extra bit special, as she gets to share the opportunity with her daughter Justice.

"I've got a fair bit of experience, but I just want to be their friend and someone they can talk to," she said of her role as manager.

"I have to pretty much make sure they have everything. Make sure their washing is done, that they've got their waters and make sure their clothes are ready, so almost like a mother figure.

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"It's just mind-blowing and I'm looking forward to just seeing all the different towns and talent around."

She added that if there was one thing she wanted these kids to take away from the tournament, it was to dream big.

"You never know what opportunities will come up," she said.

"This was an opportunity we got because Patty Mills decided he's going to put funding in and give these black fellas out bush and everywhere in Australia a chance.

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"So dream big, work hard, but have fun."

The tournament will take place on the Gold Coast and run from April 11 until April 18.

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