The Otago Nuggets' demise and Basketball Otago's financial struggles have tended to dominated the headlines over the past 12 months.
The Goldrush's success at the Women's Basketball Championships in Porirua last week showed the sport in a better light and now Aitcheson adds another positive story.
He leaves for China today on the trip of a lifetime, having been selected alongside nine other New Zealanders to attend an NBA Asia-Pacific training camp in Nanjing.
It is the same camp his former Otago under-17 team-mates, Sam Timmins, Richard Rodger and Joseph Cook-Green, attended in 2013.
It is a wonderful opportunity for the 1.95m small forward. He will spend the best part of the next week learning the game from people who played or coached in the NBA.
''It should be a really good experience,'' he said.
''It is a good chance to impress because the Junior Tall Blacks coach [Judd Flavell] is coming over with us ... and also to get my name out there a bit.
''I'd like to go to college in the US when I finish school here and who knows, there might be some scouts over there that might see me.
''People like him [Sam Timmins, who has signed with the University of Washington Huskies from 2016] have laid some great groundwork, I guess ... and helped get people over here to look a bit more.''
Aitcheson featured in the starting five of the Otago team which won the national under-17 title in 2013 and last year he was named in the tournament team.
While he missed selection for the New Zealand under-16 team, he has been identified by Flavell as a player with the potential to play for the Junior Tall Blacks.
Some good performances during the NBA camp will enhance his prospects. He is also looking forward to some stiffer competition.
With the Otago Nuggets in a period of indefinite hibernation, Aitcheson, who plays for the Magic, feels the senior grade has suffered as a result.
Some of the region's best young prospects have headed north in search of playing opportunities.
''I was injured earlier this year so I would not have been able to have been involved with the Nuggets too much.
''But it is a shame, especially since most of the people like Richie, Joe and Sam have moved to Christchurch, which has meant the competition has gone down.''
That said, Aitcheson felt he has received excellent coaching and support from Todd Marshall, Alf Arlidge and Gavin Briggs.
Former Nuggets coach and player Mark Dickel also had a big impact on his development, as well.
''There have been so many great coaches down here.
''Mark Dickel, of course, and Alf is my club and school coach at the moment. Gavin was my Otago coach two years ago and Todd as well, in year nine and ten.
''There have been so many people that have helped so much.''
Aitcheson has dabbled in football and cricket. He also plays volleyball and water polo. But nothing matches the intensity of basketball.
''I just love the intensity. In other sports you are not involved in the game the whole time but basketball you are always involved and always have to do something.''
