Young basketballer chosen for NZ side | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

A TALENTED young North Canterbury basketballer is heading to Australia in January after being selected to represent New Zealand.

Zachary McKay, of Kaiapoi, was picked for the Under-14 Boys New Zealand Koru team to compete in the Australian Junior Country Basketball Cup in Albury, New South Wales, from January 11 to 14.

The 13-year-old St Patrick's School pupil is only in his second year playing basketball, but his North Canterbury Under-13 team coach, Gordon Wong, reckons he has talent to burn.

Mr Wong said the young point guard was a basketballer to watch in the future.

"He's oozing with natural ability and has very good skills," Mr Wong told the North Canterbury News. "Some of his on-court moves are quite spectacular."

Zachary, who captains his team, was most valuable player at a recent regional basketball tournament in Dunedin.

"The boys all look up to him," Mr Wong said. "He's a real good kid."

Mr Wong said playing in Australia would be "a big step up" for the young New Zealand Koru team, "but a good learning curve for them".

Zachary's ball-handling skills also extend to rugby.

He plays at centre for the Kaiapoi Under-13 Golds and has just been selected as a winger for the Canterbury Country Under-65kg squad.

His "quietly proud" parents, Michael and Wendy McKay, said they were "chuffed" at Zachary's successes.

"We take it pretty lightly and try to keep his feet on the ground," Mr McKay said. "But sometimes when we get home it's 'wow'."