Tai Wynyard

Tai Hikuroa Wynyard (born 5 February 1998) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Taranaki Mountainairs of the National Basketball League (NBL). He began his career playing in his home country for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL and the Super City Rangers of the New Zealand NBL. After a two-year stint in the United States playing college basketball for Kentucky, Wynyard returned to the Australian and New Zealand NBL.

Tai Wynyard
Wynyard in Kentucky's 2016 Blue-White scrimmage
No. 4 – Taranaki Mountainairs
PositionPower forward / Center
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1998-02-05) 5 February 1998
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High schoolRangitoto College
(Auckland, New Zealand)
CollegeKentucky (2016–2018)
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Super City Rangers
2014–2015New Zealand Breakers
2019Southland Sharks
2019–2020Cairns Taipans
2020–presentTaranaki Mountainairs
Career highlights and awards

Early life and career

Born and raised in Auckland, Wynyard attended Rangitoto College and helped the school's basketball team win the Auckland premier championship in 2014.[1] That year, he travelled to the United States to play in the Jordan Brand Classic.[2][3][4] He also played in the New Zealand NBL in 2014 for the Super City Rangers, averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in nine games.[5]

On 15 August 2014, Wynyard signed with the New Zealand Breakers as a non-contracted development player so as to keep his amateur status and his NCAA eligibility.[6] He appeared in two games during the 2014–15 NBL season and was a member of the Breakers' championship-winning squad.[7]

On 26 January 2015, Wynyard committed to the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball program with the aim of joining the team in 2016–17.[8][9] In April 2015, he took part in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.[10][11][12]

With the Rangers in 2015,[13] Wynyard averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10 games.[5]

In October 2015, Wynyard helped Rangitoto College win the Secondary Schools National Championships while earning MVP honours.[14][15][16]

Wynyard returned to the Breakers as a development player for the 2015–16 NBL season, maintaining a non-payment contract status in order to continue protecting his amateur status ahead of joining Kentucky in December 2015.[17][18] He appeared in five games over the first half of the season.[19]

College career

In November 2015, Wynyard signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.[20] He joined the squad in December 2015[19] and redshirted the 2015–16 season in order to retain four full years of college eligibility.[21]

In 2016–17, Wynyard logged a mere 34 minutes in Kentucky's first 20 games, while stuck behind fellow Wildcat big men Edrice Adebayo, Isaac Humphries and Sacha Killeya-Jones.[22] He was used only sparingly by coach John Calipari throughout the entire season.[23] In 15 games for the Wildcats as a freshman, Wynyard averaged 3.6 minutes per game and totalled 11 points and 13 rebounds.[24]

In December of the 2017–18 season, Wynyard injured a disc in his back. Despite being sidelined with a possible season-ending injury,[25] on 6 February 2018, Wynyard was suspended from the Kentucky basketball team due to a violation of team rules.[26] It was reported that he attended a party with a person carrying a gun in January 2018.[27] In early April, he left Kentucky and returned to New Zealand. Wynyard played just 97 minutes across two seasons with Kentucky, scoring 19 points.[28][29]

In May 2018, Wynyard transferred to Santa Clara.[30][31][32] He ultimately did not play for the Broncos after having to sit out the 2018–19 season due to NCAA regulations.[33]

Professional career

On 28 March 2019, Wynyard signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season.[34] In 19 games, he averaged 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.[35]

In September 2019, Wynyard signed with the Cairns Taipans of the Australian NBL as a development player for the 2019–20 season.[36][37][38] He made one appearance for the Taipans during the season.[35]

In June 2020, Wynyard was acquired by the Taranaki Mountainairs for the 2020 New Zealand NBL season.[39]

National team career

On 15 July 2014, Wynyard became the youngest Tall Black when he took to the court against South Korea in Wellington.[1][40][41] He later missed out on making the final squad for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain but went on to lead the Junior Tall Blacks in December during the Oceania Championships in Fiji.[42]

After helping lead the Tall Blacks to the 2015 Stanković Cup title, Wynyard played in the two-game FIBA Oceania Championship series against Australia.[43] New Zealand were defeated 2–0, with Wynyard seeing game time in the second game.[44][45]

On 26 May 2017, Wynyard was named in a 12-man Junior Tall Blacks squad for the Under-19 World Cup in Cairo in July.[46] He saw action in all seven contests during the tournament, averaging team highs of 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.[47]

Personal life

Wynyard is the son of world champion woodchoppers Jason and Karmyn Wynyard. His grandfather, Pae Wynyard, also won world titles in the sport, while his uncles compete as well.[22] His mother also played college basketball for the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves from 1992 to 1995.[48]

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References
  1. Burnes, Campbell (17 September 2014). "College Sport: Wynyard living life in the fast lane". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. Hinton, Marc (8 April 2014). "Kiwi teen to play Michael Jordan Brand Classic". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  3. Karl, Ross (9 April 2014). "Teen to play basketball in front of Michael Jordan". 3news.co.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  4. "Tai Wynyard commits to Kentucky". 3news.co.nz. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  5. "Player statistics for Tai Wynyard – NZNBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  6. "Breakers Announce Their D-Unit for the New Season". NZBreakers.co.nz. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  7. "Player statistics for Tai Wynyard – ANBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  8. Egan, Brendon (26 January 2015). "Rising Kiwi hoops star Tai Wynyard to play for the University of Kentucky Wildcats". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  9. Borzello, Jeff (25 January 2015). "Tai Wynyard to join Wildcats". ESPN.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  10. Hinton, Marc (12 March 2015). "Tai Wynyard to play in elite US basketball classic". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  11. Vecenie, Sam (11 April 2015). "World Team beats USA in Nike Hoop Summit behind Murray's 30". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  12. "Tai Wynyard Hoop Summit Summary". NZBreakers.co.nz. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  13. Robson, Tony (24 April 2015). "Wellington Saints' NBL winning run ends as Super City Rangers take spoils". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  14. Anderson, Niall (3 October 2015). "Rangitoto, St Peters Cambridge Crowned Secondary School Champions". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  15. "Rangitoto College and St Peter's win national title". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  16. Anderson, Niall (3 October 2015). "Secondary School Nationals – Tournament Teams and MVPs". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  17. "SKYCITY BREAKERS CONFIRM 'D' UNIT". NZBreakers.co.nz. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  18. Vaught, Larry (23 August 2015). "Tai Wynyard sure he "will be coming to UK in December" to join Calipari's team". VaughtsViews.com. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. Uluc, Olgun (16 December 2015). "New Zealand basketball star Tai Wynyard jets off to US college powerhouse Kentucky". FoxSports.com.au. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  20. Hinton, Marc (16 November 2015). "Kiwi hoops sensation Tai Wynyard now officially a University of Kentucky Wildcat". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  21. Marcum, Jason (29 February 2016). "John Calipari reveals tweak is back, Tai Wynyard likely not playing and more". aseaofblue.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  22. Medcalf, Myron (1 February 2017). "'The Michael Jordan of lumberjacks' motivates his son, a Kentucky reserve". ESPN.com. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  23. Hinton, Marc (31 March 2017). "Jeff Green's Supercity Rangers to bring in big guns to boost NBL title challenge". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  24. "Tai Wynyard College Statistics". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  25. "Armed student partied with suspended University of Kentucky basketballer Tai Wynyard - report". Stuff.co.nz. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  26. Page, Fletcher (6 February 2018). "Tai Wynyard suspended from Kentucky basketball team until further notice". Courier-Journal.com. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  27. Page, Fletcher (6 February 2018). "Armed student 'protecting' UK basketball player Tai Wynyard, fraternities and sororities warn". Courier-Journal.com. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  28. "Tai Wynyard to leave University of Kentucky after tumultuous two years". Stuff.co.nz. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  29. "Basketball: Suspended Kiwi Tai Wynyard to leave University of Kentucky". nzherald.co.nz. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  30. "Men's Basketball Program Adds A Pair of Forwards to Recruiting Class". santaclarabroncos.com. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  31. Page, Fletcher (18 May 2018). "Former Kentucky basketball forward Tai Wynyard headed to Santa Clara". courier-journal.com. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  32. "UK transfer Tai Wynyard to play for former Cats assistant at new school". Kentucky.com. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  33. Hinton, Marc (20 October 2018). "Gun scandals, bad backs and no play – welcome to Tai Wynyard's US basketball odyssey". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  34. "Tai Wynyard joins Southland Sharks for National Basketball League". Stuff.co.nz. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  35. "Tai Wynyard Player Profile". RealGM.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  36. "Tai Wynyard agreed to terms with Cairns Taipans". sportando.basketball. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  37. Houben, Michael (29 September 2019). "Is Tai Wynyard set for a resurgence with the Cairns Taipans?". pickandroll.com.au. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  38. "Co-captains and DPs revealed at 2019 Corporate Launch". Taipans.com. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  39. "SAL'S NBL DRAFT – RECAP". nznbl.basketball. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  40. Worthington, Sam (15 July 2014). "Tai Wynyard set to make debut for Tall Blacks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  41. "Tai Wynyard Keeps Breakers Academy Streak Going". NZBreakers.co.nz. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  42. "Junior Tall Blacks named for Oceania Champs". Basketball.org.nz. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015.
  43. Nichol, Tess (14 August 2015). "Basketball: Young star up for next milestone". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  44. "Australia vs New Zealand". FIBALiveStats.com. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  45. "New Zealand vs Australia". FIBALiveStats.com. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  46. "Giant forwards named in Junior Tall Blacks' Under-19 World Cup squad". Stuff.co.nz. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  47. "New Zealand – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA.com. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  48. "Wynyard signs for Kentucky Wildcats for 2016". NZBreakers.co.nz. 27 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
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