Ball is life

Basketball culture is rampant in Hong Kong, as the sport seems to get more and more popular, year after year. It’s difficult to go far without finding a crowded court, a poster of a famous NBA player, or a shop stocked with basketball merchandise; shoes, kits, balls, hats; the list goes on.

For many people in Hong Kong, especially young people, basketball is more than just a game or form of exercise. It is part of a lifestyle in which you are constantly looking to improve and express yourself as an individual, but for the good of a team. This is especially the case for student-athletes, who understand the responsibility and prestige that comes with representing their school on the basketball court. As of now, there are over 300 school-run basketball programmes in the city.

Of all these programmes, few have been as successful as the Hong Kong International School (HKIS) Dragons, who have won the International Schools Sports Federation Hong Kong (ISSFHK) cup for eight of the past ten years. “HKIS has a proud tradition of basketball excellence that has continued for almost 50 years,” says Jeremy Evans, HKIS boys’ basketball coach since 2007. “Several former players have gone on to play at the US collegiate level, and a few of them are even playing in the Hong Kong A1 semi-pro league,” he notes. “Players understand that it is an honour to wear the Dragons uniform.”

In addition to competing locally, the team also has the chance to travel and compete in international tournaments throughout the year. For instance, this year the HKIS girls won the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) tournament, which is comprised of 12 teams from countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam. Evans describes these trips as “wonderful opportunities to build friendships and represent our school in highly competitive tournaments.” HKIS also hosts its own international tournament each year.

Students go to school to learn above all else, and although most of that learning is academic, there are valuable lessons found in basketball and sports that cannot be taught in the classroom. “Players learn how to deal with success and rebound from failure,” says Evans, who believes that close, competitive games help players build character.

“The boys’ team especially has had some thrilling games with local D1 [school] powerhouses DBS (Diocesan Boys’ School) and CCC Kwei Wah Shan College,” recalls Evans. “Whether playing our local or international rivals, we respect our opponents and relish the competition. The games are physical and often contentious, and allow our players to develop toughness, resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship in the face of adversity,” he adds.