Peter Pokai
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 August 1965 Wellington, 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 | |
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
Pokai represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks at the 1986 FIBA World Championship and 2000 Summer Olympics.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Pokai has a brother named Matthew.[2] As of 2021, Pokai was living in Australia.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Peter Pokai". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Peter Alfred Pokai's profile". FIBA.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.