It’s been two-years since the Wright brothers, Liam & Lloyd stepped onto the basketball courts at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre in Port Moresby. While physically both have grown taller and gotten stronger, nothing has changed with their attitudes. They wanted to win then and they still want to win now. 

The pair have returned to Papua New Guinea to represent Kavieng Basketball Association at this week’s BFPNG National Championships. Both know they have a big challenge in front of them, should the dynamic duo want to lead New Ireland Province to a piece of silverware at the end of the week.

“We’re under no illusions about how tough it will be,” said older brother Lloyd.

“The majority of our 2015 PNG men’s national team are based in Port Moresby and will be playing for the PMBL, so they are definitely the favorites and the side to beat.  The pressure is on them.”

“All we can do is play hard and give our best effort and hopefully we put our Kavieng team in a position to be playing for a trophy come Saturday.”

The brothers are eligible to represent Kavieng at the championships through their mother Helen’s New Ireland Province bloodlines.

“I know mum is very proud and wants us to do well, not only for us as her children but also for all of the family & friends we are playing for back in her home,” Liam said.

Since the 2015 Pacific Games where the pair were standouts for team PNG, each brother has been marking their mark on the international basketball scene. Lloyd has spent the last two-years at Orange Coast College in California, USA while Liam has represented Victoria Country at the Australian Junior National Championships and also featured in the PNG under 18 side that toured Cairns last December.

Both said they were very excited about coming home to Papua New Guinea and spending the next six-days competing against the countries most talented players.

“I still get goosebumps thinking about the home crowd we had at the Pacific Games. Hopefully there’s a lot of the same people that come out and support the teams at the national championships just as much and make that same type of noise,” Lloyd said.

“I’ve played for some amazing crowds with Orange Coast College in Los Angeles but nothing beats a Port Moresby crowd. Nothing!”

Looking to the future both have made themselves available for the FIBA Melanesia Cup this September.

“Definitely keen for the Melanesia Cup, we have some unfinished business with Fiji & New Caledonia,” Liam said.

“But before we get to that, we have to make sure we have a good week here and play ourselves into selection. We want to earn our spots just like all the other guys.”

The officially opening of the BFPNG National Championships will take place at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre at 9:30am on Tuesday, July 3.