Wellington Saints

Last updated

Wellington Saints
Wellington Saints Logo.png
League NZNBL
Founded1981
HistoryWellington Saints
1983–1996
Wellington Wizards
1997–1998
Wellington Saints
1999–2019; 2021–
Arena TSB Bank Arena
Location Wellington, New Zealand
Team coloursBlue & white
Main sponsorMills Albert
CEOJordan Mills
Head coachAaron Young
OwnershipNick Mills
Championships12 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
Retired numbers1 (5)
Website Saints.co.nz

The Wellington Saints are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Wellington. The Saints compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at TSB Bank Arena. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Mills Albert Wellington Saints.

Contents

Team history

The Wellington Saints were founded in 1981. In 1982, the Exchequer Saints won the second division title, which promoted them to the first division for the 1983 season. [1] [2] The Saints went on to play in six straight championship games upon joining the NBL, winning titles in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988. [3] They played in their seventh final in 1991, where they lost to the Hutt Valley Lakers.

At the end of the 1996 season, both the Saints and the Lakers were struggling to survive. They amalgamated for the 1997 season, becoming TransAlta Wellington. With fans wanting a 'real' name, for the 1998 season, they became the TransAlta Wizards. For the 1999 season, they returned to the original identity of Saints. [4] [5] The Saints returned to title contenders in the 2000s, as they finished runners-up in 2001 and 2008, and won their fifth title in 2003.

The 2010s were dominated by the Saints, as they played in every championship game between 2010 and 2019, except 2013. They claimed back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011, before claiming their eighth title in 2014. With their ninth title in 2016, the Saints matched the Auckland Stars for most championships in NBL history. [6] In 2017, the Saints made NBL history by becoming the first team to complete a perfect regular season, going 18–0. [7] [8] They went on to defeat the Canterbury Rams in the semi-finals before becoming the first team to complete an unbeaten season, capping off a perfect 20–0 campaign by beating the Southland Sharks 108–75 in the final. Their tenth championship set a new record for most in NBL history. [9] [10] The Saints returned to the final in 2018, but missed the chance at their first three-peat with a 98–96 loss to the Sharks. [11] In 2019, the Saints completed their second undefeated regular season in three years, going 18–0, [12] before completing another perfect 20–0 campaign by defeating the Hawke's Bay Hawks 78–68 in the final to win their 11th title. [13] [14] [15]

The Saints sat out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [16] [17] [18] They returned in 2021 and won their 12th championship. [19]

In November 2024, the Saints unveiled a rebranded logo and identity for the 2025 season to honour their 40-year legacy. [20]

Honour roll

NBL Championships:12 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)
Most Valuable Player: Lindsay Tait (2010, 2013), Corey Webster (2014, 2017), Torrey Craig (2015), Shea Ili, (2018), Nick Kay (2019), Dion Prewster (2021), Xavier Cooks (2022)
Kiwi MVP:Neil Stephens (1992), Lindsay Tait (2013, 2015), Corey Webster (2014, 2017), Shea Ili (2018)
All-Star Five: Kenny McFadden (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988), Darryl Johnson (1998), DeWayne McCray (1998), Terrence Lewis (1999, 2000), Mark Dickel (2002), Ben Knight (2004), Nick Horvath (2006, 2008), Michael Efevberha (2009), Lindsay Tait (2010, 2011, 2013), Eric Devendorf (2010), Corey Webster (2014, 2017), Torrey Craig (2015, 2016), Shea Ili (2017, 2018, 2019), Tai Wesley (2017), Nick Kay (2019), Dion Prewster (2021), Taane Samuel (2021), Xavier Cooks (2022)
Most Outstanding Guard: Kenny McFadden (1983, 1984), Terrence Lewis (1999), Michael Efevberha (2009), Lindsay Tait (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Corey Webster (2014, 2017), Torrey Craig (2015), Dion Prewster (2021)
Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard: Lindsay Tait (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015), Corey Webster (2014, 2017), Shea Ili (2016, 2018, 2019), Dion Prewster (2021)
Most Outstanding Forward: Kerry Boagni (1988, 1990), Tai Wesley (2017), Nick Kay (2019), Xavier Cooks (2022)
Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre:Neil Stephens (1989, 1992), Terrence Lewis (2001), Robert Loe (2019)
Scoring Champion: Kenny McFadden (1983, 1984), Kerry Boagni (1992), Terrence Lewis (1999), Michael Efevberha (2009), Eric Devendorf (2010), Corey Webster (2017)
Assist Champion: Kenny McFadden (1985, 1987, 1991), Mark Dickel (1998), George Le'afa (2003), Lindsay Tait (2010, 2013, 2015), Jason Crowe (2012)
Rookie of the Year: Steven Adams (2011)
Coach of the Year:Mike McHugh (2003), Doug Marty (2008), Pero Cameron (2010), Kevin Braswell (2017), Zico Cornel (2021)

Current roster

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

Wellington Saints roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 1 Flag of New Zealand.svg Thata, Tyson 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Le'afa, Izayah 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Gold, Sam 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 4 Flag of the United States.svg Benlevi, Malik  (I)1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F 8 Flag of New Zealand.svg Plumtree, Troy 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 9 Flag of the United States.svg Henderson, Terry  (I)1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ayre, Ben  (I)1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
F 11 Flag of South Sudan.svg Mayen, Lat  (IN)2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G 12 Flag of New Zealand.svg Dougall-Mita, Rangimarie 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 13 Flag of New Zealand.svg Harris, Hyrum 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
G/F 15 Flag of New Zealand.svg Prewster, Dion 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
F 18 Flag of New Zealand.svg Smith-Milner, Tohi  (C)2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
F 22 Flag of New Zealand.svg Samuel, Taane 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
G 25 Flag of New Zealand.svg Evans, Kazlo 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 27 Flag of New Zealand.svg Pilcher, Arthur 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 33 Flag of New Zealand.svg Mckenzie, Noah
F 55 Flag of New Zealand.svg Lovell, Cory 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
F 99 Flag of New Zealand.svg Hippolite, Kawharu 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
G Flag of New Zealand.svg Silberstein, Dov 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F Flag of New Zealand.svg Taylor, Alex 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Head coach
  • Flag of New Zealand.svg Zico Coronel
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: 16 June 2024

Notable players

CBL team

The Saints began in the second-tiered Conference Basketball League (CBL), winning the CBL title in 1982. In 1997, Wellington's second division team, TransAlta Wellington, finished as runners-up in the CBL. [21] In 2000, Wellington's second division CBL team was called Capital Punishment. [22] [23] In 2001, the Wellington College Saints finished as CBL runners-up. [21] In 2008, the Saints' second division team won the CBL championship with a 90–84 win over the Waikato Titans in the final. [24] [25] [26] [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawke's Bay Hawks</span> Basketball team in Napier, New Zealand

The Hawke's Bay Hawks are a New Zealand professional basketball team based in Napier. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Pettigrew Green Arena. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Taylor Hawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waikato Pistons</span> New Zealand basketball team

The Waikato Pistons were a New Zealand basketball team based in Hamilton. The Pistons competed in the National Basketball League (NBL) and played their home games at Hamilton Boys' High School.

Arthur Trousdell is a New Zealand-British professional basketball player who last played for the Hawke's Bay Hawks of the National Basketball League (NZNBL).

Craig Robert Bradshaw is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. Bradshaw played four years of college basketball at Winthrop University in the United States before playing professionally with clubs in New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Spain, South Korea and Latvia from 2007 to 2012.

Alex John Pledger is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played college basketball in the United States for Kansas City and Belmont Abbey before playing eleven seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) between 2009 and 2020. In nine seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, he won four NBL championships. In the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL), he won championships with the Auckland Pirates (2012) and Southland Sharks (2018). He was also a regular member of the New Zealand national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southland Sharks</span> Basketball team in Invercargill, New Zealand

The Southland Sharks are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Invercargill. The Sharks compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Stadium Southland. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the SBS Bank Southland Sharks.

Leon Hofeni Nehemiah Henry is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He debuted in the New Zealand NBL in 2004 and won seven championships in 19 years. He also played five seasons in the Australian NBL, where he won three straight championships with the New Zealand Breakers between 2011 and 2013.

Andrew Wheeler is a New Zealand basketball player for the Southland Sharks of the National Basketball League (NBL).

The Hutt Valley Lakers were a New Zealand basketball team based in Hutt Valley, Wellington. The Lakers competed in the National Basketball League (NBL).

Kevin Lavelle Braswell is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He played college basketball for Georgetown University before playing professionally in Europe and New Zealand. He currently serves as associate head coach of the Utsunomiya Brex in the Japanese B.League.

Duane Benjamin Bailey is a New Zealand former professional basketball player who played in the New Zealand NBL and the Australian NBL.

The 1985 NBL season was the fourth season of the National Basketball League. Two new teams entered the league in 1985, expanding the number of teams from eight to ten. 1984 Conference Basketball League (CBL) champions New Plymouth were promoted to the NBL for the 1985 season, while 1984 CBL runners-up Palmerston North were readmitted to the league after being demoted following their last place finish in 1982.

The National Basketball League Finals Most Valuable Player is an annual National Basketball League (NBL) award currently given to the best performing player over the finals or grand final. The award has previously been known as Final MVP and Final Four MVP.

Derone Jordan Raukawa is a New Zealand basketball player for the Taranaki Airs of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL).

The 2016 NBL season was the 35th season of the National Basketball League. The league's team total dropped to an all-time low for the 2016 season, with the departure of the Manawatu Jets leaving the competition with seven teams.

The 2017 NBL season was the 36th season of the National Basketball League. For the second year in a row, the league fielded seven teams.

Shea Ili is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He is also contracted with the Sandringham Sabres of the NBL1 South. He debuted in the Australian NBL in 2014 with the New Zealand Breakers. He was a member of the Breakers' championship-winning team in 2015 and in 2018 he named the NBL Most Improved Player. He joined United in 2019 and in 2021 he won his second NBL championship. He was named NBL Best Sixth Man in 2022 and NBL Best Defensive Player in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben Te Rangi</span> New Zealand basketball player

Reuben Te Rangi is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Tasmania JackJumpers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He started his NBL career in 2012 with the New Zealand Breakers with whom he won two championships in 2013 and 2015. Te Rangi joined the Brisbane Bullets in 2016 and won both the Best Sixth Man Award and Most Improved Player Award in 2019. He played four seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix before signing with the JackJumpers in 2024.

Thomas James Vodanovich is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball in the United States for the James Madison Dukes between 2013 and 2017 before having a two-year stint with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL. He joined the Sydney Kings in 2021 and won an NBL championship in 2022. He won a second NBL championship with the Tasmania JackJumpers in 2024. In 2020, he was named the New Zealand NBL MVP playing for the Manawatu Jets.

The 2021 NBL season was the 40th season of the National Basketball League.

References

  1. ↑ "Saints Legend Kenny McFadden becomes first NBL player with a retired jersey". Saints.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Hyslop, Liam (11 April 2019). "'Mr Wellington Saints' Kenny McFadden back as assistant coach". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 April 2019. Former Wellington Saints chief executive Justin Toebes, left, presents then assistant coach Kenny McFadden with the number five shirt, retired in his honour, in 2010.
  3. ↑ "Who Are We". Saints.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Locations – Exodus Saints". Wotzon.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "The Saints are Back". plug.co.nz. 16 March 1999. Archived from the original on 11 October 1999.
  6. ↑ SAINTS CLAIM 9TH NBL TITLE
  7. ↑ Wellington Saints complete perfect National Basketball League regular season
  8. ↑ Wellington Saints' NBL season won't be perfect without another championship
  9. ↑ Basketball: Wellington Saints complete perfect NBL season
  10. ↑ Wellington Saints complete perfect season with NBL final win over Southland Sharks
  11. ↑ SHARKS CLAIM THIRD TITLE WITH GUTSY WIN OVER DEFENDING CHAMPION SAINTS
  12. ↑ THIS IS WHAT 18-0 LOOKS LIKE
  13. ↑ SAINTS COME FROM BEHIND TO FINISH 2019 UNDEFEATED
  14. ↑ Wellington Saints claim 11th NBL title with stunning comeback win over Hawks
  15. ↑ Paul Henare on undefeated champion Saints: 'Not bad for a bunch of role-players'
  16. ↑ Hinton, Marc (9 May 2020). "Saints, Southland Sharks non-starters as innovative Kiwi NBL battles to achieve liftoff". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "Seven teams confirmed for NBL basketball competition in June". Stuff.co.nz. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  18. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (20 May 2020). "'Too high of a risk': Why the champion Saints will not compete in the make-shift NBL". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "Wellington Saints continue NBL dominance with grand final win over Hawke's Bay Hawks". Stuff.co.nz. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Saints Announce New Rebrand for the 2025 Season". saints.co.nz. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  21. 1 2 "2010 Conference Basketball League" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 4–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "Wellington Saints". saints.co.nz. Archived from the original on 1 June 2000.
  23. ↑ "Capital Punishment". saints.co.nz. Archived from the original on 24 January 2001.
  24. ↑ "2008 Annual Results" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 4. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  25. ↑ Meikle, Hayden (1 September 2008). "Basketball: Satisfactory placing for Penguins". odt.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "Shot at big time too early for Suns". nzherald.co.nz. 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  27. ↑ "2008 Conference Basketball League Finals". basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.