Waitemata (basketball)
| Waitemata | |
|---|---|
| League | NBL & CBL |
| Established | 1982 |
| Folded | 1989 |
| Location | Waitemata, New Zealand |
| Team colours | Green & black |
| Championships | 1 (1987) |
Waitemata was a New Zealand professional men's basketball team that competed in the National Basketball League (NBL). They were one of eight inaugural NBL teams when the league formed in 1982, finishing runners-up behind Auckland in the league's first season. They dropped to fourth in 1983 and withdrew from the competition after just two seasons.[1] Waitemata subsequently entered the second-division Conference Basketball League (CBL) where they finished league runners-up in 1985 and were crowned champions in 1987.[2] Their championship win earned them promotion to the NBL, as they returned to the top league in 1988 after a four-year hiatus.
Waitemata's first season back in the NBL saw them miss the playoffs with a seventh place finish. A bright spark for the team was star American guard John Welch, who won the Most Outstanding Guard Award that year, in addition to All-Star Five honours. However, after finishing second last in 1989, they withdrew again and ceased operations.[1]
Notable players
- John Martens – named Rebounding Champion in 1988[1]
- John Welch – named Most Outstanding Guard and All-Star Five in 1988[1]
