ANCHORAGE — Grant Niver grew up watching the Great Alaska Shootout.

Sitting in the stands through the years, Niver had the chance to see some of the top teams in Division I basketball hit the hardwood of the Sullivan Arena, competing in what has traditionally been known as one of the most notable holiday tournaments in men’s college basketball.

And now this year, Niver is a part of the tourney he grew up watching.

Colony forward Grant Niver charges past Kenai Kardinal Nate Saltzgiver during Saturday's Northern Lights Conference championship game at Palmer High School. (ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman)

The 2008 Colony High School graduate and University of Alaska Anchorage freshman is in his first season with the Seawolves men’s basketball program.

“Me and my brothers and my dad would sit way up in the nose bleeds, and now I actually might have a chance to play (in the Shootout),” Niver said earlier this week.

Niver, a former CHS standout who was invited by the UAA coaching staff to walk on to the team, could have spent his first Shootout as a member of the program sitting in the stands in street clothes. He started the season as a redshirt, but his status changed after a pair of players were lost to injury.

But instead, Niver will be donning the UAA green and gold.

“I was going to have to wait until next year,” Niver said. “I wish we wouldn’t have had those injuries, but now I’m getting a chance.”

Niver did not appear in UAA’s first three games of the season and is not sure if he’ll see any playing time during the Shootout. But regardless of playing time, Niver is enjoying the experience and taking advantage of the opportunity to compete during practice. And Niver said he’s embracing whatever opportunities are given to him.

“Right now my job comes in practice,” Niver said. “In a game, if I am called up, great. But if not, it’s fine.”

As a redshirt, Niver was one of 14 players on the roster and slotted on the third team on the squad’s depth chart. He’d participate in all of the drills, but didn’t scrimmage with the team.

But since Niver’s promotion, he’s now moved up to the second team.

“Now I’m in that five-on-five scrimmage for the whole two-and-a-half-hour practice,” said Niver, who is playing at shooting guard at the college level.

Niver said the steady play in practice has already allowed him to improve.

Niver considered a handful of college programs during his senior year of high school. Among the potential schools were Division II programs Minnesota-Crookston and San Francisco State, and Division III Linfield (Ore.)

“I really wanted to go Division II, but those programs were not very successful,” Niver said.

Niver had built a relationship with the UAA coaching staff while he was still at Colony, and when it came closer to making his decision, the Seawolves program became an intriguing option.

“I’ve always wanted to play college basketball,” Niver said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave the state. UAA has a great program, and I really wanted to be a part of the Seawolves.”

As an invited walk-on, Niver is currently a non-scholarship player, but that could change in the future.

“It’s a year-to-year thing,” Niver said. “It just depends on how much I improve.

“Right now, it’s all about getting a chance to be a part of the UAA program, a winning program.”

Niver spent his high school career playing for one of the top teams in the state. As senior, Niver helped lead the Knights to a Northern Lights Conference title. The season before, Niver and the Knights played in the 4A state title game, finishing as the runner-up to rival Wasilla.

UAA opened its 2008 Shootout against Hampton on Wednesday, but results were unavailable prior to the Frontiersman press time. The Seawolves will play again on Friday and Saturday. See www.goseawolves.com for more information.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.