Peter Alfred Charles Pokai (born 24 August 1965) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball League (NBL) and competed for the New Zealand Tall Blacks at the 1986 FIBA World Championship and 2000 Summer Olympics.[1][2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 August 1965 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Listed height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Listed weight | 130 kg (287 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Upper Hutt College (Upper Hutt, New Zealand) |
| Playing career | 1988–2001 |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| 1988 | Wellington Saints |
| 1990–1993 | Hutt Valley Lakers |
| 1994 | Otago Nuggets |
| 1995–1997 | Wellington Saints |
| 1998–1999 | Nelson Giants |
| 2000–2001 | Wellington Saints |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Early life edit
As a youth, Pokai played basketball and rugby league.[3] He attended Upper Hutt College in Upper Hutt.[3]
NBL career edit
Pokai debuted in the NBL in 1988 and won a championship with the Wellington Saints.[3] He played four seasons for the Hutt Valley Lakers between 1990 and 1993.[3] 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.[3] 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]
Personal life edit
Pokai has a brother named Matthew.[3] As of 2021, Pokai was living in Australia.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Peter Alfred Pokai's profile". FIBA.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f "Peter Pokai". pandasport.co.nz. Archived from the original on 1 October 1999.
- ^ "2005 League Handbook" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. pp. 32–36. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2006.
- ^ Egan, Brendon (22 April 2016). "Coach Jeff Green loves nothing better than beating Canterbury Rams at basketball". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Peter Pokai". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ a b "SAL'S NBL 40IN40: PLAYERS 20-11". nznbl.basketball. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.