Castle View’s Madison Hema named to New Zealand’s U17 women’s basketball team
Madison Hema, who will be a senior at Castle View this fall, has made New Zealand’s under-17 women’s basketball national team, and will participate with the squad in the U17 World Cup next month.
Hema is a dual citizen of both New Zealand and the U.S. Her father, Matt, who is also Castle View’s head coach, is from New Zealand. He moved to the U.S. in the 1990s.
Last season as a junior, Hema averaged 8.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, along with 3.6 blocks. The 6-foot-2 Hema plays in the post.
New Zealand’s U17 women’s team was unveiled last week following a tryout. The team will face Argentina, Hungary and Spain in the group stage, which begins on July 21 in Belarus.
It is the first time New Zealand will appear in the event, and it also marks the country’s first time participating at a World Championship age-group event put on by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Regis Jesuit’s Fran Belibi will also be participating in the U17 World Cup. She made the United States’ U17 national team in late May.
