New Zealand basketball prospect Sam Waardenburg has scored himself a scholarship to play college basketball at the University of Miami.
Waardenburg, who is a New Zealand Breakers development player, also considered offers from Southern Methodist Mustangs (SMU) and the Virginia Cavaliers, who have Tall Black Jack Salt on their squad.
In an interview with Scout.com, the 2.05m (6'9") forward said he committed to joining the Miami Hurricanes in 2017 because of the warm welcome he received from coach Jim Larrañaga during a recent visit.
"It was my first time being on campus and meeting the coaching staff and it felt like family," Waardenburg said.
"They were very welcoming.
"Coach Larrañaga is there and it felt really good, it's a great program as well."
The Hurricanes play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (AAC), which is considered the toughest conference in college basketball and features the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils, who both won five national titles.
The 17-year-old is in his last year of high school with Rangitoto College, who will be looking to win back-to-back National Secondary Schools Championships when the tournament tips off on September 26.
Newshub.