Tall Blacks and South Melbourne Phoenix Australian NBL star Reuben Te Rangi has agreed to join the Auckland Tuatara for the 2023 Sal’s NBL season.
The versatile 28-year-old has been one of the country’s best basketballers for the past decade and has a glittering resume that includes three New Zealand Basketball League titles and two Australian Basketball League titles.
He was NZNBL Rookie of the Year in 2012, NZNBL Finals MVP in 2018 as well as being awarded the Australian NBL’s Most Improved Player and Best Sixth Man in the 2019 season.
Te Rangi is close with Tuatara coach Aaron Young and joins a cast that includes fellow Tall Black Rob Loe, Australian star Cam Gliddon and talented youngster Tom Beattie.
“I’m excited to come home and play in front of my friends and family, Te Rangi said. “I cannot wait to get to work with the Auckland Tuatara boys and support staff, it is going to be an enjoyable season.”
Young said Te Rangi’s experience, star quality and ability to play multiple positions will invaluable this year.
“Reubs and I have spoken about this moment, to represent and compete for our city for a number of years,” Young said.
“For everything to come full circle and to have an opportunity to coach Reubs is a reflection of where we are at in our careers. We, as an organisation, feel confident we can provide a pathway to help him grow and develop while he’s still in his prime years. I’m excited to bring the ‘young vet’ home.”
Te Rangi made the Australian Basketball League playoffs with South Melbourne and will link up with the Tuatara ahead of the season starting in early April.
More players will be announced in the coming days.
Memberships to all nine home games at Eventfinda Stadium are available now.