KOROR (Palau) - Confidence is a powerful force, and for Akeelah Ngairakoranges of the Palau Women's U23 3x3 team, it showed on day two at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania event when she delivered an unforgettable game-winning shot in an overtime thriller against Vanuatu.
This pivotal moment not only marked her team's inaugural win but also highlighted the significant development of a player whose journey from the FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp is now paying dividends on the court.
Ngairakoranges was a participant at last year's FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp held on the Gold Coast, Australia. The camp developed players both on and off the court, teaching 3x3 skills along with nutrition, recovery techniques and gender equality. Ngairakoranges credits the event as a milestone event in her development as a 3x3 player, “it really helped me learn how to communicate more with my teammates,” she said, praising the additional teachings of the camp just as much as the technical skills.
She also thanked the camp for providing her the confidence to practice skills she was not as capable in, saying she developed her dribbling ability with her left hand dramatically after the camp.
The number of high-level performances in the Youth Nations League from players who attended the FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp, including the impressive play of Akeelah Ngairakoranges, show the importance of this style of event in the Oceania region.
These camps provide players with skills that they can bring back to their local basketball communities, and additionally, the camp provides participants with the opportunity and confidence to develop their potential into tangible performances and careers. There is no lack of talent across the Oceania region, and players like Ngairakoranges are proof of it.
Ngairakoranges’ confidence is evident in her play. She is a determined scorer and a willing shooter. At stop one of the Youth Nations League, she scored the first one-point and two-point baskets for her team in their opening match-up against Papua New Guinea. At stop two in their win over Vanuatu, Ngairakoranges hit three two-point shots, including a game tying shot to send the game to overtime, and her ice-cold game winner.
She shared the excitement of hitting such an important shot, “I was relieved, because we were already so tired, but I was so excited that we won the game.”
The youngest player on her team, Ngairakoranges did not want to take full credit for the team’s victory, making her thoughts on her teammates clear, “I really appreciate my teammates, they scream at me, tell me what to do, so I can do better.” In addition to acknowledging the experience of her teammates, she also gave a special shout-out to her coach Jubilee Kuartei for their support in her development as a player.
Playing in her home nation of Palau has also brought confidence to her performances. “It made me really feel so proud to know they are watching me, because I am in my home country,” she said
With multiple days of competitions remaining, Ngairakoranges will be one to watch throughout the remainder of the tournament.
FIBA