An All Star at 15

National Under-20 basketball baby of the team Leba Korovou has forced her way in the All Stars team to play in Australia next January.

The All Stars team is comprised of the best players who featured at the FIBA Oceania Junior Championship held at New Caledonia.

Korovou's selection was a perfect birthday present for the Natabua High School student who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

Korovou who is a former national netball training squad member was trying hard to come into terms with the news taking into consideration the abundance of talents on display at the FIBA Oceania Junior Championship.

The talented Form Three student joined her skipper Miliakere Koyamainavure and Vika Fifita in the women All Stars while Joshua Motufaga is the lone Fijian named in male All Stars team.

"I'm humbled to be named in the All Stars team," said Korovou after touching down at the Nadi International Airport with her team mates yesterday.

"It couldn't have come at the better time since today (yesterday) is my 15th birthday and I'm thankful to the Almighty Lord for blessing my life with sporting talents.

"I reckon this is the beginning of many good things to come in basketball."

Korovou played a huge part helping her team to win the bronze medal and was happy with her first international assignment in the national colour.

"Representing my country at an international level is a huge achievement especially for a young player like me.

"The Oceania championship has opened a new door of opportunities and gives me the chance to gauge my standard against the best Oceania junior players.

"I have a lot to work on and I'm looking forward to playing in the All Stars team in Australia next year."

After flying the Fiji flag at the international arena, it's now back to the classroom for Korovou as she, like any other schoolgirl, prepares for her annual examination.

Meanwhile skipper Koyamainavure was named the top scorer of the tournament while the men's' team finished seventh overall.

The national team were accompanied by the Guam basketball team and were treated to a function at Nadi upon their arrival.

Both teams and their friends and relatives who had gathered at the airport were treated to a rousing performance from the Fiji Police band which entertained the crowd.


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