.Young Central basketball fans were excited to meet Otago Nuggets players and coaches on Friday for an ice cream giveaway and signature session in Alexandra. 

Local children gathered to meet the team when they converged in the town last week, where they were treated to team posters and a free ice cream thanks to team sponsor Night ‘n Day. 

Smiles and scoops: Olivia Clapham (14), Paige Adams (14), and (front) Charlee Clapham (8). PHOTO: The Central App

Night ‘n Day Alexandra franchisee Brooke Williams said she was thrilled to help dish out more than 120 ice creams.

“Supporting our community means a lot to Hayden and I, so we love opportunities to give back to our customers.” 

Otago Nuggets guard Caleb Smiler (at back, third from left) and forward Matt Pyper said the welcome from the children was huge. PHOTO: Otago Nuggets

Otago Nuggets Assistant coach Dan Vlahov shared his tips on shooting a basketball with youngsters. PHOTO: The Central App

Brooke Williams, Sarah Wybrow, Otago Nuggets head coach Brent Matehaere, Jahnavi Nayak and Kodi Knights. PHOTO: The Central App 

The Terrace School students Evie Campbell (5) and Ashleigh Robb (9) enjoyed getting their team posters signed by the players. PHOTO: The Central App

The turnout was so great that the team representatives stayed on an extra fifteen minutes to make sure everyone had an opportunity to say hi, get a photo or shake the players' hands.

The Nuggets’ last game was against the Taranaki Airs at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre on Wednesday night, where they lost 88 -101.

They face the Auckland Tuatara in the City of Sails tomorrow, June 19, at 7.30pm.

The Otago Nuggets are currently in the middle of the table in the National Basketball League (NBL) (6th from a total of 11 teams.)

The team has won two championships in 2020 and 2022 with coach Brent Matehaere. In 2020 he was awarded NBL coach of the year.