Koondoola students get surprise visit from Illwarra Hawks NBL player Cody Ellis

KOONDOOLA primary schoolers may have thought they had seen the last of WA pro basketball product Cody Ellis after he ran a clinic with them earlier this year.

But the Illawarra Hawks forward, son of Perth Wildcats great Mike Ellis, surprised the youngsters with a visit this month and he brought his teammates from the eastern states with him.

The Hawks were in Perth to face the Wildcats on October 21 at Perth Arena, but made a detour to Warwick Stadium for a training session in front of Year 5 and 6 Koondoola Primary School students on the Thursday.

Local charity 12 Buckets organised the afternoon away from the classroom having formed a community partnership with the State Basketball League’s Stirling Senators, who Ellis represented in the off-season.

Head of 12 Buckets Travis Fitch runs a basketball program as one of a number of motivators for troubled students at four northern suburbs primary schools including Koondoola.

Mentors involved in 12 Buckets cover a range of activities including sport, web design and photography.

Volunteers interested in mentoring students can apply via www.12buckets.org.