Basketball stars net £1,000 for Hillhead High School

Young talent Aymen pits skills against sport’s pros

A rising basketball star went against Scotland’s Caledonia Gladiators to raise £1000 for new team strips for his school.

Aymen Kraria,17, who plays for Hillhead High School, is also a member of the Great Britain Under 18s team.

In a fundraiser at the Skypark business park in Glasgow, Aymen competed with Scotland’s basketball franchise to raise the money.

The event featured ‘shoot the hoop’ challenges while Skypark tenants joined the challenges to help raise funds.

Dedicated

Rising star Aymen recently participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp 2023 after he was spotted playing for the Great Britain U17 men’s team.

(From left to right ) Caledonia Gladiators Ariadna Pujol, Fahro Alihodzic, with Aymen Kraria, Hillhead High School, Patrick Whelan, Laken James and Kian Omer-Jones.

Aymen said: “Hillhead High School has helped me throughout my whole career. 

“The time that teachers and coaches have dedicated to supporting my development has been so important to reaching the level I have so far. 

“As a school we have been very successful at a local and national level and won the U18 Glasgow League, U18 Glasgow Cup and Open Boys Scottish Cup last year. 

“My goals are to continue to work hard and develop my skills to help me become a professional basketball player. 

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity given to me by Skypark to compete against (and beat!) the Caledonia Gladiators and the funds raised will be really useful in helping younger players to work towards reaching their goals.”

My goals are to continue to work hard and develop my skills to help me become a professional basketball player. 

Aymen Kraria

Jack Richardson of Hillhead High School said: “Our fundraiser is great for our young players as it captures the spirit of basketball and bonds the team together.  

“We’re a very multicultural and diverse school and we also work exceptionally hard to keep the cost of the school day as low as possible so the £1000 raised will make a huge difference. 

“Basketball develops lifelong skills in our young players. Thanks  to the Gladiators and Skypark tenants for getting behind our school.”

As well as competing in the British Basketball League and Women’s British Basketball League, the Gladiators also run community youth sessions across Glasgow and beyond, nurturing the next generation of talent.   

Lisa Palombo, Head of BBL (Women) and Community at Caledonia Gladiators said: “We are delighted to be part of the Skypark and Gladiators Charity Challenge. 

Skypark supported the fundraiser

Hillhead High School are great friends of the club and do fantastic work around school basketball. We hope this helps support their fundraising pursuit.”