Peter Pokai

Peter Pokai
Personal information
Born (1965-08-24) 24 August 1965 (age 59)
Wellington, New Zealand
Listed height198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight130 kg (287 lb)
Career information
High schoolUpper Hutt College
(Upper Hutt, New Zealand)
Playing career1988–2001
PositionCenter
Career history
1988Wellington Saints
1990–1993Hutt Valley Lakers
1994Otago Nuggets
1995–1997Wellington Saints
1998–1999Nelson Giants
2000–2001Wellington Saints
Career highlights and awards

Peter Alfred Charles Pokai (born 24 August 1965)[1] is a New Zealand former basketball player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL) and represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Pokai was born in Wellington, New Zealand.[2] He attended Upper Hutt College in Upper Hutt and played basketball and rugby league as a child.[2]

As an 18-year-old, Pokai made his debut playing for Hutt Valley in the second-division competition in 1983.[3]

NBL career

Pokai debuted in the NBL in 1988 and won a championship with the Wellington Saints.[2] He played four seasons for the Hutt Valley Lakers between 1990 and 1993.[2] In 1991, Pokai won the NBL Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre Award and helped Hutt Valley win the NBL championship.[4] In 1993, he helped Hutt Valley win their second title in three years after hitting the game-winning jumper in the final.[5]

After a season with the Otago Nuggets in 1994, Pokai played for Wellington between 1995 and 1997.[2] In 1998, he joined the Nelson Giants. After two seasons with Nelson, he played for the Saints again in 2000 and 2001.[6]

In April 2021, Pokai was ranked the 16th best player in the NBL's 40-year history.[7]

National team career

Pokai represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks at the 1986 FIBA World Championship and 2000 Summer Olympics.[8]

Personal life

Pokai has a brother named Matthew.[2] As of 2021, Pokai was living in Australia.[7]

References

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Peter Pokai Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Peter Pokai". pandasport.co.nz. Archived from the original on 1 October 1999.
  3. ^ "Peter Pokai". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  4. ^ "2005 League Handbook" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. pp. 32–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2006.
  5. ^ Egan, Brendon (22 April 2016). "Coach Jeff Green loves nothing better than beating Canterbury Rams at basketball". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Peter Pokai". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b "SAL'S NBL 40IN40: PLAYERS 20-11". nznbl.basketball. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Peter Alfred Pokai's profile". FIBA.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.