Highlighting the growing recognition of Aotearoa talent globally, the article emphasizes the robustness of local competitions such as the Secondary Schools Nationals, Sky Broadband Rapid League, and G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa and Sal’s National Basketball leagues. This increasing visibility is something to celebrate.
On the roster of emerging athletes is 18-year-old Troy Plumtree, the younger sibling of Welsh Rugby international Taine and son of former All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree.
Plumtree shared with the Herald that his chance to play college basketball at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) emerged after being selected for the New Zealand team at the upcoming 2024 Fiba Under-17 Basketball World Cup. “My performance there led my future college team to notice me during my game against Argentina,” he explained.
The small forward is making the transition following two seasons with the Wellington Saints in the National Basketball League (NBL). In 2023, he also led Wellington College to its first national basketball championship. “I believe playing in the NCAA will be a level up from the NBL; while the competition may offer more skilled players, facing older and physically mature opponents in the NBL presents its own challenges,” Plumtree stated.
Being the sole basketball player in a rugby-focused family is significant for Plumtree. “I feel like I’m helping my family expand their horizons beyond rugby. My parents are sad to see me go but understand that this is a necessary step for my future in basketball, so they are supportive,” he noted.
The rise of Kiwis in US college basketball coincides with schools being able to compensate their athletes, marking a historic moment in NCAA history. As reported by ESPN, the annual limit for these payments is set to begin at approximately US$20.5 million per school in the 2025/26 season, and these payments are in addition to existing scholarships. Some athletes are reportedly securing multimillion-dollar NIL (name, image, likeness) deals with their institutions. Plumtree confirmed that Cal Poly is compensating its athletes, describing it as an “incredible opportunity.” “I’m thrilled to represent Wellington alongside fellow Division 1 basketball players, and I feel honored to represent my school and the clubs I’ve played for.”
Kiwis Playing Division 1 College Basketball for the 2025/26 Season
Women:
- Dani Bayes (Senior) – Boise State University
- Ella Bradley (Senior) – Eastern Kentucky University
- Ella Brow (Junior) – Baylor University
- Ivy Brown (Junior) – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Layla-J Cameron (Junior) – University of Tulsa
- Mackenzie Chatfield (Junior) – Washington State University
- Flo Dallow (Sophomore) – University of Portland
- Pania Davis (Junior) – Florida State University
- Bailey Flavell (Freshman) – University of Hawaii
- Waiata Jennings (Senior) – University of Alabama
- Maia Jones (Junior) – Santa Clara University
- Evie Leeson (Freshman) – Utah Valley University
- Charlisse Leger-Walker (Senior) – UCLA
- Tannika Leger-Walker (Freshman) – University of Nebraska Omaha
- Arielle Mackey-Williams (Junior) – Brigham Young University
- Helen Matthews (Senior) – UC Davis
- Jess Moors (Senior) – Florida Atlantic University
- Rebecca Moors (Sophomore) – University of Hawaii
- Shawnessy Nordstrom (Sophomore) – California Baptist University
- Hineaupounamu “Missy” Nuku (Junior) – Sacred Heart University
- Lilly Parke (Senior) – Fairleigh Dickson University
- Amy Pateman (Freshman) – University of San Francisco
- Ophelia Powell (Freshman) – Cal State Bakersfield
- Rafferty Powell (Freshman) – Gardner Webb
- Shorna Preston (Junior) – Pepperdine University
- Izzy Pugh (Sophomore) – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Ashlyn Rean (Sophomore) – Fresno State University
- Hanna Richardson (Sophomore) – Lipscomb University
- Zoe Richardson (Sophomore) – USC Upstate
- Zenthia Stowers (Freshman) – Marshall University
- Emilee Tahata (Senior) – Rider University
- Ritorya Tamilo (Sophomore) – University of Hawaii
- Lilly Taylelei (Junior) – Iowa State
- Lauren Whittaker (Freshman) – Gonzaga University
- Olivia Williams (Senior) – University of San Francisco
- Kodee Williams-Sefo (Freshman) – Xavier University
Men:
- Hunter Adam (Junior) – Davidson College
- Tom Beattie (Junior) – UC San Diego
- Carter Berg-McLean (Freshman) – Loyola University Maryland
- Kaia Berridge (Sophomore) – University of Evansville
- Nic Book (Sophomore) – USC Upstate
- Walter Brown (Senior) – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Isaiah Chappell (Sophomore) – University of California, Davis
- Lachlan Crate (Freshman) – Murray State University
- Ahmed Essahatay (Senior) – Southeastern Louisiana University
- Tafara Gapare (Senior) – Villanova University
- Ben Gold (Senior) – Marquette University
- Oscar Goodman (Freshman) – University of Michigan
- Carter Hopoi (Freshman) – Valparaiso University
- Julius Halaifonua (Sophomore) – Georgetown University
- Kaia Isaac (Senior) – Tarleton State University
- Tama Isaac (Freshman) – University of California, Irvine
- Hayden Jones (Freshman) – University of Wisconsin
- Finn Lally (Senior) – College of William & Mary
- Cory Lovell (Junior) – Stonehill College
- Akiva McBirney-Griffin (R-S Junior) – University of California, Irvine
- Troy Plumtree (Freshman) – Cal Poly
- Kael Robinson (Senior) – Northern Kentucky
- Kiani Saxon (Senior) – Wyoming University
- Will Shortt (Sophomore) – Niagara University
Benjamin Plummer is a sports reporter for the New Zealand Herald based in Auckland. He has been with the Herald since 2022.
