CHEERS COACH! 

Tui started training with Kenny Mac when he was 11. He was his very first coach outside of school - and ran the comprehensive New Zealand Basketball Academy.

As a longstanding Saints NBL player, and coach to Steven Adams, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, and countless other players - Kenny knew what it took to grow great players who loved the game!

Attending Coach Kenny’s memorial at such a young age was character building! And is why Tui wears #5 to remember him!'

The best thing about Kenny: he believed in everyone, and he believed in the dream! “You gotta shoot for the moon” he’d say! He was everyone’s ‘main man!

Ex Tall Black and NBL player, Coach McLean, has been a cornerstone coach for Tui, and a key part of his journey learning to becoming a great shooter. Troy’s focus and technical knowledge of the game, as well as empathy from having played professionally, has made him a source of knowledge and a key reason Tui grew so much as a player every single year.

Check out MOV.E if you’re a Kiwi baller looking for a great coach!

Lovingly known as ‘Mailman’ for his size and playstyle - Coach Mel has always been so generous with his time and shown unwavering support.

He coached Tui from age 12 to 18! And is still endlessly supportive from afar!

If you’re looking for a welcoming club team, with a big heart - check out Morehu!

Coach Smith first met Tui as a 13 year old, when he made the U15 Wellington Representative squad.

Alongside other NBL and NZBB Basketball commitments, Jayden always found time to coach and grow the local Rep teams - where he reunited with Tui through his role as Head Coach of the U20 Wellington Basketball Team for the Footlocker U20 Basketball New Zealand Nationals (2025). Coach Smith, along with Sam Twomey, led the team to a 6th place finish. View the full game!

As the head of the Wellington Basketball Rep Programme, and Director of Ball Never Lies (BNL), Sam Twomey has always been straight up with Tui about ways to grow his game.

Sam’s was there to see the early morning trainings, and also generously invited Tui to become a ‘scout squad’ challenger player for the Tokomanawa Queens WNBL team (where Tui would learn to mimic defensive plays to challenge the players in training). He also invited Tui to give back and coach BNL kids trainings.

In 2025 Tui worked closely with Dean to help grow his game, and guard skills. 7am sessions with other players were invaluable to help with handles, tactics and speed.

If players are looking for great coaching sessions, check out Dean’s Ball Never Lies session.

Tui first met Mat through Kenny at a basketball camp as a 13 year old. Over the years Mat got more and more into coaching, and ended up training Tui through his Grind Time Academy; as well as being the Assistant Coach on the Wellington Representative Team.

In 2023 Tui also went to the Hoop Nations Classic, with Coach Phillips as Head Coach for the ‘Hoop Club’ team - where the team made the Semi Finals - and had an epic team of New Zealand FIBA players and D1 prospects.

With experience as an Assistant Coach for the Wellington Saints NBL team, Coach Philips was a pivitol coach for Tui - helping him improve not only his guard skills - but also his friendships and love of the game!

From 2021 to 2024 Jack Stewart was Head Coach for Tui’s Rongotai High School Basketball Teams. Taking the lads from boys in their Middle school and Freshman years, right through to the end of Tui’s Junior High season.

Coach Stewart encouraged shooters take clear shots early in the clock, and was endlessly positive - which brought out the best in players!

Coach Ioapo first coached Tui as a Representative Coach, taking the U13s to Napier after the first Covid lockdowns. Tirelessly sharing his time, and energy with players - Dan always brought out the best in the teams he coached.

Later on, Dan became Assistant Coach of Tui’s High School teams in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Always calm, and encouraging, Coach Iaopo focuses on building baller communities that support each other (with a focus on building thriving Polynesian communities) - and improves the boys basketball IQ and confidence with encouragement and his knowledge of the game!

Ex-Tall Blacks, and Sals NBL Assistant Coach, was an invaluable addition to the Rongotai High (RC) basketball programme - operating as the Director of Basketball.

He was Head Coach in Tui’s Sophomore year, when Tui had a personal best of 8× 3-pointers per game (shooting 8/13).

Always encouraging Tui to get lower to the ground, and work on his guard skills, meant Coach Tupu kept Tui focused on the basics - which can sometimes be hard when you are an ever-growing all-limbs teen.

Lovingly referred to as ‘Stubbies’ - Jackson was always inclusive to Tui, inviting him to join in on runs and closed group training workouts with the Splash players (when Jackson wasn’t coaching pro teams in Japan).

With a focus on growing guard skills, and playing in a joyful environment - alongside other great players and friends - Jackson created a baller environment to hustle alongside NBL players and train in a competitive environment.

Runs with other elite players, professionals, and New Zealand basketball representatives was instrumental to Tui growing his game!

If you’re a player, who attends a trial camp, and doesn’t make a team - just hope you’re in the good fortune of meeting someone like Leyton Haddleton.

Coach Haddleton coached the New Zealand FIBA World Cup team in 2023 (for the cohort of players born in 2006/2007). With exceptional talent to choose from, Haddleton was kind enough to go above and beyond in providing not only player feedback sheets - but also personalised messages and replies on how Tui could improve his chances for New Zealand selection in the future.

His recommendation: go become an epic guard, or amazing shooter. Yes sir coach!

If there is one person who deeply believes in the power of habits, and consistency - it’s Buzz! He first entered Tui’s life, when his mum put her hand up to coach the kids teams.

Buzz’s calm approach always brings out the best in the players he coaches. And his love of 6am shooting sessions helped to make the Welly shooters what they are today!

A triple OT is a pretty interesting scenario to coach, but Steve Bedford managed it with class for the 2023 U17 Basketball New Zealand National Championship - where Wellington hustled it out against Manawatu to take home 5th place.

Tui first met Coach Bedford through the High School community - where Steve was constantly donating his time to coach high school teams and create open run opportunities. With a more the merrier ethos, he took Tui under his wing and created countless opportunities to play. With his own son later playing with Tui on a high school team, and encouraging Tui to take shots with confidence.

Coach Z, Coach Ngan, Coach Rapson, Coach Terry Stallworth, Wellington Basketball Association (Walter Taulelei (CEO), Jasmine Morris, Laura Webster, Patrice Reremoana, Hemi Pou, Voldi) and many others (even mom, when there were too many players and not enough coaches) were all part of the journey - nurturing a real love of the game!

Tui started playing basketball at age 8, through the miniball series. And his love of the game was definitely nurtured by the amazing parents and coaches who tirelessly gave their time to provide opportunities for kids to grow, learn and play!

If you’re a parent thinking about coaching, don’t be scared - check out the amazing resources available - such as the Kiwi Hoops (Bounce | Mini | Pro | AllStar) or BBNZ guides!

Tui met Logan at age 15, when he wanted to start working out in the gym - and didn’t know where to start. Encouraged by his mum, and Stevie Cozens, Tui started to work with NZ Tall Black S&C trainer - Logan Botica.

Based in Auckland, Tui would fly up for 6 monthly check in sessions - and then use Logan’s ‘Bridge’ app to complete self-managed workouts at his local City Fitness.

The goal was: start light and incorporate plyos, with a focus on learning good techniques, before adding weight. Logan’s training helped Tui to have the leg strength to dunk! And built Tui’s confidence travelling solo to visit Hoop33.

Coming back from injury, and regaining speed is tough for any athlete - but not when you have Oceanic sprint coach Alan Taylor on your side.

Refreshingly honest, and incredibly knowledge on the nature of lever handles for tall athletes, Alan helped Tui to come back from injury and regain dynamic speed. (It even involved sleigh running)

It’s also no coincidence that within 3 weeks of working with Alan, Tui could ditch the ankle brace … and had his first in-game dunk! Boohah!

No player wants to get injured. But if you do, having Steven Adams physio and the wider team at Cross Physio’s on your side has got to be a win.

Gav would share tips on not only how to recover, but also how to navigate the world of USA basketball and the different coastlines.

With a team of amazing physios, a ligament tear and fracture was slightly less painful (which was much appreciated, given the injury occurred only two weeks before indigenous Māori Nationals and NBL trials)

It was total luck to meet Stevie Cozens, of Forge Sport, on a basketball court as Tui entered his Freshman high year.

Guiding Tui with everything from subject selection, to introductions with Logan Botica and Jackson Stubbins, Stevie has played a critical part in Tui’s growth both on courts but also in classrooms.

One thing we love about Stevie is how kind he is, when also being REAL about where a player is at. And outlining the steps to take to make dreams comes true! Having placed over 100 players on scholarship in the USA, with 15 active D1 college players, Stevie totally knows his stuff!

If you’re a player wanting to play internationally, check out FORGE Sport!

It often gets overlooked, but teammates are the foundations of any great player! The person with a mean kick pass! The raise of an eyebrow to drive - NOW. The assist that arrives like a bullet.

Tui is grateful for all the lessons learned, and plays delivered, alongside fellow teammates.

Representative teammates will be friends for life - and collectively strive to improve each other and raise the bar for New Zealand Basketball!

Coming from a family that played other sports, at elite levels, is helpful in many ways. With parents who understand the value of consistency, habits and being intentional - half the battle is won.

A family that is:
endlessly supportive,
and constantly loving,
makes growing as a player that bit easier!