Basketball New Zealand's trying to raise $25,000 in the hope of getting the NBA player, Steven Adams, to play in next month's Oceania Championships against Australia.
Adams was drafted 12th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder last month and the money would be used to cover his insurance bill if he turns out in the two games for the Tall Blacks.
Basketball doesn't receive any funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand and will be relying on sponsorship to raise the funds.
The Chief Executive, Iain Potter, says Adams' involvement with the Tall Blacks is an important marketing tool.
He says if Adams plays they'd sell out the game against Australia in Auckland and other sponsorship opportunities would become available.
Potter admits that even if the raise the required funds, there's still no guarantees he'd be able to leave the Thunder for the series against Australia.
