Mackenzie Chatfield’s goal of gaining a basketball scholarship in the United States came a step closer recently, when she was named in the U18 Women’s Basketball Team, which will represent New Zealand in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Championship in India during September.

The 17-year-old Year 13 athlete has been playing basketball since she moved to New Zealand five years ago after living in Singapore and the US. She plays primarily as a Point Guard and a Shooting Guard.

Playing for North Harbour and Westlake’s Premier basketball teams, some of Mackenzie’s most recent achievements include Hoopnation Junior Showcase MVP and Allstar 5, U19 Nationals Tournament Team, NZ U18 trialist and team member, and she was recently named as a member of the Northern Kahu squad.

“I feel beyond excited and grateful for this opportunity to travel to India,” she says of her NZ rep position.  “The experience playing on an international stage is always something I have dreamt of , so I am very blessed and grateful to have been given this opportunity.”

This will be the first time Mackenzie will have represented New Zealand in basketball. “The thing I am looking forward to the most is being able to play with girls from all over the country, as well as be able to compete on an international level against some of the best talent in the world,” she says. “The experience of traveling again after Covid is something that excites me and I am looking forward to meeting up with a few of my buddies who have recently left to begin their college careers in the USA.”

Westlake wishes you all the best for the championship Mackenzie!