The only Western Bay of Plenty basketballer to have made the New Zealand Under-18 Junior Tall Blacks squad may be rallying for fundraising support but that’s not top of his family’s mind.

Mount Maunganui College Year 13 student Carter Hopoi, who plays for Tauranga Whai NBL Team, flew out to the troubled Middle East on Wednesday, August 28, to compete in the FIBA U18 Men’s Asia Cup.

The 18-year-old’s parents are closely monitoring tension in nearby Syria, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which have sparked protests in Jordan.

“There have been conversations among parents about where the tournament is being held – in Amman from September 2-9 – and the fact that it’s a Level 2 security risk,” says Carter’s mother Koren Hopoi.

“Along with Carter, we took our time to make the decision for him to go.

We trust BBNZ have considered all the risks and have prioritised the team’s safety.”

The U18 Junior Tall Blacks secured their spot in the Asia Cup by winning silver at the Oceania Cup in Papua New Guinea last year — a competition also marred by civil unrest.

Players were confined to their accommodation for safety.

“There were power outages because of a land dispute,” recalls Carter.

“But making that team was pretty special. It made me expect more from myself.” Carter’s basketball journey began when he was 6, and he became serious about the sport around age 12 when he started playing for regional rep teams in Thames Valley. “Carter’s worked really hard,” says Koren.

Although Basketball New Zealand has subsidised part of the trip to Jordan, there’s still a $5000 shortfall per player.

To bridge the gap, the organisation has launched a raffle running until September 27, where donors can contribute funds to offset athletes’ travel costs and win prizes.

Donations can be directed to a specific player or the entire team. As for the future? Expect to see Carter’s name in the Tall Blacks squad.

“I’d like to play in the NBL next year and then head to the US to play basketball there,” he says.

Buy raffle tickets online at: https://nz.basketball/raffle/