Former OHS student Shea Ili's success on the international stage highlights the opportunities and values driving the growth of the Onehunga High School Basketball Academy.

Onehunga High School's Basketball Academy is continuing to grow under the leadership of Mr Anthony Keung, with increasing numbers of students embracing the opportunity to develop their skills, confidence, and love of the game. The Basketball Academy was introduced for Year 9 students this year and has been a tremendous success, with strong student engagement and enthusiasm. Building on this momentum, the academy will expand to include Year 10 students in 2027, creating a clear junior development pathway that enables students to continue developing their basketball skills over two years before progressing into the senior programme.

Mr Keung is no stranger to developing talented basketballers. One of his former students that he coached from 2007 - 2011, Onehunga High School alumnus Shea Ili, has gone on to build one of New Zealand's most successful basketball careers. Shea represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks from 2015 to 2025 and established himself as one of the Australian National Basketball League's premier guards. His achievements include two Australian NBL championships, two NBL Defensive Player of the Year awards, the NBL Best Sixth Man award, and six New Zealand NBL championships.

Shea continues to perform at the highest level. On Friday night, he scored 21 points and recorded six assists to lead the Tall Blacks to a thrilling 106–102 double-overtime victory over the Philippines in a FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifier. Mr Keung remembers Shea as an exceptionally talented player whose commitment and dedication matched his natural ability. He believes Shea's success reflects the importance of hard work, discipline, and continually striving to improve. "Work ethic is the most important factor in achieving success," says Mr Keung. "I'm excited by the growth of our junior academy and look forward to helping the next generation of players develop their skills and achieve their goals."

With a thriving junior academy, an expanding pathway for students, and inspiring alumni such as Shea Ili, the future of basketball at Onehunga High School continues to look exceptionally bright.