Ihaka Cate stands tall at 6’6” at only 16 years old and has already achieved impressive milestones in basketball. His journey started early at the age of 4, participating in a range of sports and excelling academically, earning a scholarship to Christ’s College. Known for his excellence on and off the court, Ihaka has represented NZ in various international competitions. He was part of the NZ U16 team that placed 2nd at the FIBA U16 Asia Champs in 2023 and the NZ U15 team that also came 2nd at the FIBA U15 Oceania Champs in 2022. In 2024, Ihaka will represent NZ in the U18 team, traveling to Turkey for the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup, aiming for victory. This grant will support Ihaka’s travel and equipment expenses, allowing him to compete and improve his skills. His long-term goal is to secure a scholarship in the USA and play professionally.