I’m pumped, stoked, excited...However you want to put it, that’s what I am.
I’m not a basketball fan, not by any stretch of the imagination, and the thought of watching an NBA game on TV sends shivers down my spine. Much like baseball, which I actually played for a number of years as a kid, watching a game on TV or spending money to see the pros play doesn’t really sounds like something I’d enjoy.
But for whatever reason, I love the All Native Basketball Tournament. Obviously I enjoy the cultural aspect of it and the camaraderie that comes with the event, but I just as much enjoy taking in a game between two teams of players who are out there playing for the love of the game and to represent their communities.
I’m not going to lie, when I was living in Fort St. john working at the Northeast Weekly and when I was living in Terrace working for Look Inside Publications, the prospect of attending the All Native Basketball Tournament held little to no appeal to me except for maybe seeing what all the fuss was about. I’m not going to lie again, the All Native Basketball Tournament is now one of the events that I most look forward to attending and covering as a member of the media. After five years of covering the event, I fully get it.
I’m even starting to know the teams to watch and the players who put on a show every year. And, of course, the atmosphere in the final - if you’ve never been, there is no way to explain it.
Do yourself a favour and go check out a game or two - the opening ceremony at the least. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. I know I am...