Papeete (Tahiti) – The basketball culture is growing steadily in Tahiti; the spotlight is on youth development through FIBA 3×3 opportunities. Local players are stepping onto the court with big dreams and bold ambition, determined to put their island nation on the international map.
From Punaauia, on the Windward Islands of Tahiti, Heiarii Salmon grew up with the sport of basketball. His talent was recognised from a young age, and at just eighteen years old, Salmon was selected to represent Tahiti at the 2023 Pacific Games held in the Solomon Islands, both in basketball and 3×3 formats. It was at this event that Salmon first experienced the top level of regional 3×3 basketball, and he fell in love with the game. When Salmon was invited to attend the inaugural FIBA Oceania 3×3 High Performance Camp held on the Gold Coast of Australia, he would not miss out on the opportunity.
The 3×3 High Performance Camp, held late in 2024, was a perfect springboard for many athletes planning on attending the Palau Mini Games in 2025. This list included Heiarii Salmon. The High-Performance Camp focussed on both on-court and off-court skills for the athletes, including lessons on nutrition, recovery, and gender equality. Salmon made the most of his time at the camp, honing his skills and taking away techniques to hone his athleticism to a new level.
Heiarii Salmon’s experience at the Pacific Mini Games and the 3×3 High Performance Camp, mixed with countless hours of his own hard work, gave him a massive advantage over his opponents at the recent FIBA Oceania 3×3 Youth Nations League held in Palau. At just twenty years old, Salmon was a dominant force for Tahiti.
He totalled 93 points at the event in just 13 games, which counted for over 40 percent of his team’s points. Where many teams focussed their strategies on firing as many perimeter shots as possible, Salmon set himself apart from the competition with his efficiency. He made use of the outside shot when open but prioritised inside scoring using his superior speed and athleticism to create open looks for himself. Not only was Salmon a standout offensive player in the tournament, but he also showed versatility, putting just as much effort into his defensive game. In a competition where many games came down to foul trouble, Salmon showed an impressive ability to force difficult shots for his opponents without fouling.
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Heiarii Salmon Represented Tahiti at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League – Oceania 2025
Salmon’s outstanding performance at the event was enough to earn him an All-Star-Three spot, as one of the top three players in his conference.
The rise of young Heiarii Salmon from a role-player to an event all-star in just a two-year span highlights just how important attending training camps and competitions is for young athletes in their development. It also shows how critical the support of National Federations is in creating their next generation of top-level players, and Tahiti will now be able to reap the benefits of their commitment to player development through the exciting career of Heiarii Salmon.
The FIBA Oceania 3×3 High Performance Camp in 2024 was support by the partnership of FIBA, Olympic Solidarity and PacificAus Sports. The grassroots program focused on providing resources to the Pacific athletes to assist them in competing on the world stage.