Kiwi Hope On Sideline
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad
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Toby Robson, Dominion Post
A dream scholarship is threatening to turn into a nightmare for New Zealand’s top junior basketballer.
Dion Prewster has been sidelined since arriving at Iowa City High last month, ruled “ineligible” by the Iowa High School Athletics Association.
The Wellington 17-year-old’s new school is taking court action after being accused of using “undue influence” to entice the former Wellington College pupil and trying to build a “super team”.
In the meantime, Prewster, whose dream is to gaine a basketball scholarship at an American university, is stuck on the sidelines.
Junior Tall Blacks coach Kenny McFadden, who helped Prewster organise the trip to Iowa, said no one was clear exactly what “undue influence” had been exercised. But he believes the problems stemmed from rival schools becoming upset after a number of talented basketball players arrived at Iowa City High around the same time.
“When Dion arrived, Iowa State University got a new coach and his son transferred to Iowa City High as well as two other talented guys.
“The other schools got upset and complained, and Dion was singled out. No one’s quite sure [what he's supposed to have done].
McFadden said Prewster, a 6ft 5in (1.96m) guard who grew up in Johnsonville, had not received any money or assistance from Iowa City High. He was working a part-time job and being billeted by a local family.
“We chose Iowa because it was a nice quiet area in the United States. Dion was born in American, so he should be able to choose where wants to go to school anyway.”
Prewster was born in California to a Samoan mother and an African American father. He moved to New Zealand at the age of seven.
McFadden said Prewster had tried to remain positive since the decision had been taken early last month to bar him from playing in the local competition.
“It was pretty dramatic at the start, about a month ago, but his coach [Andy Woodley] has really supported him all the way and the school are standing behind him.
“He’s still able to train with the team three times a day and he’s been allowed to play some games for the Amateur Athletics Union team.”
Prewster has already caught the eye of college scouts who have attended Iowa City High’s practice sessions.
McFadden said he had told him to knuckle down on his school work and make the best of the situation.
“He sat his SATs [university entrance exams] last week, so worst case scenario is he can’t play for the high school team, but if he passed those tests, he can still sign a letter of intent with one of the colleges.”
Prewster, who made the Junior Tall Blacks as a 14-year-old, wants one day to play for the senior national team, though he is classed as a naturalised New Zealander, having not gained his citizenship before he turned 16.
A Basketball New Zealand spokesman said they were aware of the issue, but unable to assist.
