| Whai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| League | NZNBL |
| Founded | December 2021 |
| History | Whai 2024– |
| 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 |
Whai are a New Zealand basketball team based in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. The team competes in the National Basketball League (NBL) from 2024 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 later rebranded as Whai, with whai as a noun meaning stingray in Māori. [3] As a verb whai means to chase or pursue. [4]
In October 2023, the team announced Matt Lacey as their inaugural coach. [5] [6] In their NBL debut on 28 March 2024, Whai defeated the Hawke's Bay Hawks 91–70 at Mercury Baypark. [7]
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.
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Whai Basketball debuted in 2022 with a women's team in the inaugural season of the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa. [8] As of 2023, the women's team played their home games at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. [9] [10]
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