LIHU‘E – Most Kaua‘i residents have been to Las Vegas to gamble or just to see the sights. However, for two Kaua‘i High School students, the chance to go to Las Vegas may be a stepping stone towards a bright
LIHU‘E – Most Kaua‘i residents have been to Las Vegas to gamble or just to see the sights.
However, for two Kaua‘i High School students, the chance to go to Las Vegas may be a stepping stone towards a bright future on the basketball court.
Red Raider’s junior Futi Tavana and sophomore Josh Bradbury both have their eyes set on playing ball at the collegiate level.
Kaua‘i High School coach Kevin Medeiros, an accomplished athlete in his own respect on O‘ahu, where the chance of getting noticed by a collegiate scout is much better, gave these young men the opportunity.
Medeiros, who attended Iolani School, mentioned the chance of Kaua‘i basketball players attending the Reebok Big Time Tournament from July 22-25 with the Hawai‘i team. So he called up Iolani’s Conrad Shigeta to see if it were possible and Shigeta gladly gave Medeiros two spots to fill.
The Red Raider coach immediately thought of Tavana and Bradbury. Medeiros chose them not only because of their athletic abilities, but more importantly for their great attitudes.
Talking to both players after a recent volleyball open-gym affirmed the coach’s good words.
“I just want the opportunity to play at the next level and by going up to Vegas, it will allow me to get better and getting exposure,” Tavana said.
Bradbury who’s the younger of the two wants the same thing, so they will get a chance to help each other both on and off the court.
“This tournament will definitely make me a better player, just by seeing the loads of talent and what rest of the country has to offer,” Bradbury said.
In an age where some athletes choose who they want to play for, instead of playing for the team that selects them, Tavana and Bradbury seem to come from an era of long ago, where the importance of just getting the opportunity to play was the main priority.
Doing good in the classroom is also a high priority for Tavana and Bradbury, as they both plan on majoring in sports medicine. The ideal job for both, if the NBA doesn’t work out, would be as a trainer.
In addition, with all the players Medeiros has coached, he has high praise for both.
“Tavana is one of the best players I’ve ever coached and Bradbury has a lot of potential,” Medeiros said.
The Reebok tourney features the country’s best basketball players. Not only does the chance give them the experience of playing with elite athletes, but it also brings much needed exposure to the table.
This notoriety, which usually passes up Garden Isle athletes could become a staple in times to come.
“On O‘ahu, students get some exposure, but on Kaua‘i it’s very hard to get noticed because we‘re so isolated,” Medeiros said.
Before Tavana and Bradbury head up to sin city, they will stop on O‘ahu in June to practice with the rest of the Hawai‘i state team.
Then, it’s off to Las Vegas to play with the big boys. Medeiros has just opened the door and with an influx of talent on the island, it’s just a matter of time before we see a Kaua‘i athlete in the pros.
“I hope this experience will enable other athletes on Kaua‘i to get the same shot as Tavana and Bradbury,” Medeiros said.
With opportunity at their fingertips, Kaua‘i players can rest assure that a chance will come their way.
