Peter Pokai Explained

Peter Pokai
Position:Center
Height Cm:198
Weight Kg:130
Birth Date:24 August 1965
Birth Place:Wellington, New Zealand
High School:Upper Hutt College
(Upper Hutt, New Zealand)
Career Start:1988
Career End:2001
Years1:1988
Team1:Wellington Saints
Years2:1990–1993
Team2:Hutt Valley Lakers
Years3:1994
Team3:Otago Nuggets
Years4:1995–1997
Team4:Wellington Saints
Years5:1998–1999
Team5:Nelson Giants
Years6:2000–2001
Team6:Wellington Saints
Highlights:

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.

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. He played four seasons for the Hutt Valley Lakers between 1990 and 1993. 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. 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. As of 2021, Pokai was living in Australia.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Peter Pokai Olympic Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418031411/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/po/peter-pokai-1.html . dead . 18 April 2020 . 22 July 2018.
  2. Web site: Peter Pokai . pandasport.co.nz . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19991001211606/http://www.pandasport.co.nz/Peter%20Poki.html . 1 October 1999.
  3. Web site: Peter Pokai . australiabasket.com . 20 May 2024 . subscription.
  4. Web site: 2005 League Handbook . Basketball.org.nz . 32–36 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060824065604/http://www.basketball.org.nz/uimages//1942.pdf . 24 August 2006.
  5. Web site: Egan . Brendon . Coach Jeff Green loves nothing better than beating Canterbury Rams at basketball . Stuff.co.nz . 22 April 2016 . 22 August 2018.
  6. Web site: Peter Pokai. australiabasket.com. 27 September 2021.
  7. Web site: SAL'S NBL 40IN40: PLAYERS 20-11. nznbl.basketball. 8 April 2021. 27 September 2021.
  8. Web site: Peter Alfred Pokai's profile. FIBA.com. 22 August 2018.