Are future proof Samoa set to soar?

APIA (Samoa) - It can often take time for aspiring nations to get onto the wider women's basketball radar, but the eye-catching rise and rise of Samoa at youth level means they could soon land on it.

Even if all the excitement right now is understandably focused on the upcoming Pacific Games 2023 for the senior side, the following edition could be dripping in even more expectation and anticipation. Or at least if the current crop of young guns continue their massively impressive upward trajectory. 

If you didn't know already, one of the biggest stories in the Oceania region during the past couple of years has been Samoa punching rather deliciously above their weight. They've delivered some outstanding knockout blows, with their breakthrough not coming in a one-off tournament, but as part of a bonafide and traceable step-by-step journey.

Push the rewind button to when they stepped out for the first time at the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship Division B 2021  in Amman, Jordan. It was the moment when a true Cinderella story was initially written for Samoa.

A dramatic 54-51 victory over Kazakhstan booked them an unexpected Semi-Finals spot. It was labelled as the biggest win by the country on any stage in recent history. So you can only imagine what the reaction was when they went Samoa went on to beat Philippines to make the Final. They didn't just cause an upset, they stormed their way to an 88-73 success.

Now you have to immerse yourself into the almost unimaginable scenes of unbridled euphoria when Samoa then took that third step and famously beat Syria 79-76 in a game that will become folklore on the islands. 

As the final buzzer sounded, Azaleeah Oloapu sealed her role as the driving force, clinching victory with a decisive layup. Her relentless determination shone through once again, amassing an exceptional 20 points and 19 rebounds. Oloapu's unwavering performance echoed her consistency throughout the competition, solidifying her position as Samoa's esteemed team leader.

Kira-May Filemu was equally productive, maintaining her level of performance as she had done throughout.the competition. With her tenacious play, she added 15 points and 7 assists to her impressive stats, proving to be a significant contributor to Samoa's victory. Her ability to control the tempo of the game and make precise passes showcased her exceptional court vision.

Together, Oloapu and Filemu formed an unstoppable duo, propelling Samoa to new heights. Their cohesive teamwork, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the cause inspired their teammates but also left an indelible impact on the sport for an entire nation.

The reward was a trip back to Jordan and its capital earlier this year to compete in the unchartered waters of the top flight in Division A. Predictably it was tough to bridge the gulf in class against the likes of Japan, China and to a lesser extent New Zealand, yet Samoa were still able to provide a maiden victory at the event. Their success against fellow promoted side Syria was a great way to sign off. 

Then, the fairytale continued at the FIBA U17 Women's Oceania Championship 2023 recently as most of those same players who performed heroics in Amman stepped up once again. This time they achieved more amazing milestones, most famously taking a first ever win for Samoa Basketball at any level against New Zealand with a phenomenal 74-59 victory in their first game. 

 

With another two big wins against Papua New Guinea to their name and Malia Jae Rudd posting a jaw-dropping tournament double-double, this latest international competition at the youth level confirmed what so many people are thinking. Yes, Samoa could be about to soar at the senior level and set some seriously new high tide marks as their youth success permeates the national team.

Whether that materializes at this upcoming Pacific Games or we have to wait a little longer for everything to come to fruition, these are exciting times. It is also strong endorsement of the fabulous work being undertaken at the grass roots level by the Federation. So, get set for more celebrations for Samoa Basketball.

FIBA