AT just 21 years old, Fiji basketball representative Keenan Hughes is already living the dream he once watched his parents achieve on the court.
Raised in Suva and shaped by a strong basketball background, Hughes has emerged as one of Fiji’s exciting young talents, bringing overseas experience, leadership and ambition home for his first-ever Vodafone Fiji Cup appearance next month.
Hughes will be leading the Zodiac Rams Basketball Club for this year’s Vodafone Basketball Fiji Cup Championship.
The former Yat-Sen student began playing basketball at a very young age before taking the sport competitively in Class Five.
“I’ve just always been around the game,” Hughes said.
Growing up in a basketball household, the sport quickly became part of everyday life.
His father, Earl Hughes, represented Fiji, while his mother also played the game, inspiring his passion from an early age.
“My dad is a big reason why I play basketball today,” he said.
“There’s not a single thing I do on the floor that’s not criticised to some extent, but it’s always in a good way. They’ve always wanted me to make the most of my opportunities on and off the court.”
Hughes attended Yat-Sen Primary School before continuing at Yat-Sen Secondary School, where he further developed his game.
His journey took a major turn in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when he moved alone to the United States on a basketball scholarship.
“That was one of the biggest challenges,” he admitted.
“I didn’t really get proper closure with people because of the restrictions. I love home, so a big part of me stayed in Fiji.”
Despite the emotional challenge, Hughes used the experience to grow both on and off the court while balancing life as a student-athlete in the US for nearly six years.
Now back home for the Vodafone Fiji Cup, Hughes is relishing the chance to reunite with childhood teammates and friends.
“It feels almost full circle getting to play with all of them again,” he said.
The Vodafone Basketball Fiji Cup starts today at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.
