Whai
Whai logo
LeagueNZNBL
FoundedDecember 2021
HistoryWhai
2024–
ArenaMercury Baypark
LocationTauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Team coloursTurquoise & navy blue
General managerJohn Miller (spokesperson)
Head coachMatt Lacey
OwnershipBay of Plenty Basketball Foundation
WebsiteWhai.basketball

Whai are a New Zealand basketball team based in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. The team will compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) from 2024 and will play their home games at Mercury Baypark.

Men's team

In December 2021, the Bay of Plenty Basketball Foundation were granted a license to enter a men's team into the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2024 season. The team was initially named the Bay of Plenty Stingrays.[1][2] The team was later rebranded as Whai, with whai meaning stingray in Māori.[3]

In October 2023, the team announced Matt Lacey as their inaugural coach.[4][5]

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Whai roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G New Zealand Bezzant, Jayden 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G New Zealand Boucher, Jayden 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G New Zealand Lewis, Te Tuhi 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
F New Zealand Mennenga, Sam 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G New Zealand Thompson, Jett 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Head coach
  • New Zealand Matt Lacey
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 2 February 2024

Women's team

Whai Basketball debuted in 2022 with a women's team in the inaugural season of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa.[6] As of 2023, the women's team played their home games at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ "SAL'S NBL NAMES BAY OF PLENTY STINGRAYS AS FIRST EXPANSION TEAM FOR 2024". nznbl.basketball. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ Hinton, Marc (23 December 2021). "Bay of Plenty Stingrays unveiled as Kiwi NBL expansion team for 2024". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  3. ^ "About Whai Basketball". whai.basketball. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
  4. ^ "WHAI NAME MATT LACEY HEAD COACH FOR INAUGURAL SEASON". nznbl.basketball. 20 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
  5. ^ Conchie, Sandra (21 October 2023). "Tauranga-based Whai men's basketball team set to join NBL, Matt Lacey revealed as head coach". NZHerald.co.nz. Bay of Plenty Times. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  6. ^ "TAUIHI BASKETBALL AOTEAROA SEASON PREVIEW". tauihi.basketball. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Tauihi 2023 Schedule" (PDF). tauihi.basketball. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2023.
  8. ^ Conchie, Sandra (8 August 2023). "Basketball: Tauranga women's team Whai Basketball inspires new players and fans". NZHerald.co.nz. Bay of Plenty Times. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

External links

National Basketball League (New Zealand)
Categories