Paora Winitana
Encyclopedia
Paora Winitana is a professional New Zealand basketball player. He was ordained as a Mormon bishop in 2005 and chooses not to play basketball on Sundays. He currently plays for the New Zealand NBL team Hawke's Bay Hawks. He is a 1.96 m shooting guard
.
He attended Hastings Boys High school and played for the school A1 team from 1993-1994. In 1994 he scored a NZ high record for points scored in a single game vs Central Hawkes Bay where he scored 96 points. In 1995 he attended the Church College of NZ and helped his team defeat Palmerston North Boys High in the NZ National secondary school boys final. He was selected for the tournament team, and was chosen to play as one of the top ten high school players in the country vs the countries top ten 2nd division players, his team lost the match but he was awarded the game MVP. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year title in his debut year in the New Zealand NBL
in 1996. In preparation for the World Championship under 23 tournament in 1997 he lead the NZ Team in scoring but broke his foot six weeks prior to competition. He was given several opportunities to play 1st division college basketball ball in America. Head Coach Dick Bennett personally offered him a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin, but he decided to serve his 2 year mission for his church in the Australia Sydney North Mission between1999-2001. He returned to basketball in 2002 and was selected for the NZ Tall Blacks team the created history by placing 4th at the 2002 World Championships for Men held in Indianappolis. He captained the Hawke's Bay Hawks to a historic win achieving the franchises very first New Zealand NBL
title in 2006, and in the same year he was awarded NZ best guard, NZ All star 5, NZ MVP and also the Grand finals MVP. He also achieved silver medal as part of the Tall Blacks at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
. He was awarded the NZ MVP again in 2007 and helped Hawkes Bay reach the grand finals for the third year in a row. He has played in the ANBL with the Adelaide 36ers
and the New Zealand Breakers
from 2003-2009.
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
.
He attended Hastings Boys High school and played for the school A1 team from 1993-1994. In 1994 he scored a NZ high record for points scored in a single game vs Central Hawkes Bay where he scored 96 points. In 1995 he attended the Church College of NZ and helped his team defeat Palmerston North Boys High in the NZ National secondary school boys final. He was selected for the tournament team, and was chosen to play as one of the top ten high school players in the country vs the countries top ten 2nd division players, his team lost the match but he was awarded the game MVP. He was awarded the Rookie of the Year title in his debut year in the New Zealand NBL
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
in 1996. In preparation for the World Championship under 23 tournament in 1997 he lead the NZ Team in scoring but broke his foot six weeks prior to competition. He was given several opportunities to play 1st division college basketball ball in America. Head Coach Dick Bennett personally offered him a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin, but he decided to serve his 2 year mission for his church in the Australia Sydney North Mission between1999-2001. He returned to basketball in 2002 and was selected for the NZ Tall Blacks team the created history by placing 4th at the 2002 World Championships for Men held in Indianappolis. He captained the Hawke's Bay Hawks to a historic win achieving the franchises very first New Zealand NBL
National Basketball League (New Zealand)
The National Basketball League, often abbreviated to the NBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in New Zealand.There were 10 teams in the 2010 season with teams based in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North,...
title in 2006, and in the same year he was awarded NZ best guard, NZ All star 5, NZ MVP and also the Grand finals MVP. He also achieved silver medal as part of the Tall Blacks at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
. He was awarded the NZ MVP again in 2007 and helped Hawkes Bay reach the grand finals for the third year in a row. He has played in the ANBL with the Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide 36ers
The Adelaide 36ers are Adelaide's men's professional basketball team, established as the Adelaide City Eagles when they joined the National Basketball League in 1982. The Adelaide 36ers tally of four championships is equal with the Melbourne Tigers and second behind the Perth Wildcats as the most...
and the New Zealand Breakers
New Zealand Breakers
The New Zealand Breakers are a professional basketball team competing in the Australasian National Basketball League. The Breakers joined the NBL for the 2003/04 season as one of two expansion clubs. The club is based in the city of Auckland, New Zealand and play their home games at the North...
from 2003-2009.