The Breakers basketball team is getting ready to take on the Brisbane Bullets at ASB Arena tonight.

But the players took time out of their training schedule to hang out with some young fans yesterday afternoon.

Around 100 young basketballers from around the Bay of Plenty attended the special training session at ASB Arena.

Coach Paul Henare says it's just a chance for some of the kids to spend time with the team.

'They'll have a basketball in their hand, and the guys will teach them a thing or two, but mainly it's a chance for them to mix and mingle with their idols.”

Tonight's game against the Brisbane Bullets is the final of the pre-season schedule. The match will be hosted by Tauranga-based HoopNation organisers, and will provide all Bay of Plenty locals with a rare opportunity to see world-class basketball in their own patch.

'For us, it's a last opportunity to fine tune what we've been working on in the pre-season. After this it's the real McCoy,” says Paul.

'This is part of what we do as a club. Obviously we're based in Auckland, but we've just been to Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, too. Hopefully we get a good turnout to the game as a result.”

HoopNation co-founders Paul Berridge and KJ Allen are excited to bring the Breakers back to Tauranga, and expect a great crowd based on the growing popularity of basketball in the region.

Breakers players Quinn Clinton and Shea Ili training Taylor Harris, 12.

"We look forward to putting on a fantastic night of family entertainment at a price that families can afford,” says Paul Berridge.

'It's inspiring for the aspiring young players who live in the region to see their heroes up close and in action and with so much talent in this region, we are sure there will be future Breakers players in the crowd."

Last year the Breakers played the Bullets in Tauranga and put on a great show to a packed crowd, and the team are looking forward to great support once again.

The game is on Wednesday, September 27 at ASB Arena from 5.30pm. For tickets and info visit Ticketek.