Samoa's First Female BWB Asia Camp Representative

PERTH (Australia) - Peata Manumaleuga has etched her name into the history books of Samoan Basketball.  As the first Samoan woman to represent her country at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia Camp, she has not only showcased her exceptional talent but has also become a beacon of inspiration for countless young athletes.

Peata's journey to BWB Asia Camp was a moment of immense pride for her and her family.

"Representing my country always will put a smile to my face and I’ll do it with pride," she said.  “When I found out I was with all my family, we were having dinner and my and dad said they have a big announcement.  They got me to read the letter in front of all my siblings.  There were some tears and lots of laughter, but I won’t forget the smile on everyone’s faces and that’s really what keeps me going.”

At the camp, Peata is eager to learn from the best in the game and elevate her skills.  "During this camp I am most looking forward to training with different styles and taking that to my advantage," she said.

The opportunity to train alongside international athletes and coaches is a dream come true for the young Samoan player.  Coaching her at a national youth level and at the Pacific Games from Samoa, Coach Lisa Hogben said Peata’s journey has been one of hard work and perseverance.

“Peata was softly spoken and with encouragement played and contributed towards awesome tournaments for Samoa in the point guard role,” Lisa said.  “Over the years I have watched her grow as a point guard, and a leader on the court trusted by her teammates.  She communicates and assertive in her role now. 

“The work she has put in between campaigns has shown her growth as an athlete and her ability to read the game and increase her effectiveness on court.”

Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia Camp, a joint initiative of the NBA and FIBA, has been a platform for nurturing young basketball talent from across the Asia-Pacific region. The camp brings together top high school-age boys and girls to learn from current and former NBA, WNBA, and FIBA players and coaches.

Peata's participation in BWB Asia Camp is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit. She has not only paved the way for future generations of Samoan female basketball players but has also inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams.

As Peata continues her basketball journey, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination, perseverance, and a strong support system, anything is possible. She has become a role model for young athletes, proving that even the smallest island nation can produce world-class talent.

BWB has reached more than 4,500 participants from 142 countries and territories since 2001, with 127 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA.  The NBA and FIBA have staged 77 BWB camps in 51 cities across 33 countries on six continents.

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About FIBA 
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 212 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba,  instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.