Tauranga Whai | |
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League | NZNBL |
Founded | December 2021 |
History | Tauranga Whai 2024–present |
Arena | Mercury Baypark |
Location | Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand |
Team colours | Turquoise & navy blue |
General manager | John Miller (spokesperson) |
Head coach | Matt Lacey |
Ownership | Bay of Plenty Basketball Foundation |
Website | Whai.basketball |
The Tauranga Whai are a New Zealand basketball team based in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. The Whai compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Mercury Baypark.
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 rebranded as Whai in the lead up to their first season and then later officially branded Tauranga Whai. [3] [4] [5] [6] The word whai as a noun means stingray in Māori. [7] As a verb, whai means to chase or pursue. [8]
In October 2023, Whai Basketball announced Matt Lacey as their inaugural men's coach. [9] [10] In their NBL debut on 28 March 2024, the Whai defeated the Hawke's Bay Hawks 91–70 at Mercury Baypark. [11]
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.
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Updated: 7 May 2024 |
Whai Basketball debuted in 2022 with a women's team, Mid-North Whai, in the inaugural season of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa. [12] [13] In 2024, the team became known as Tauranga Whai alongside their male counterpart. [14] As of 2024, the team plays their home games at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. [15] [16] [17]
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