“Angelo actually awarded me an MVP when I played a tournament in Kāpiti.”
Tait-Jones attends an American university and has already had some professional contracts offered to him.
The 2m, 90kg forward rose through the ranks playing Hutt Valley U15, Wellington 17s and 19s, Wellington Saints including an undefeated season[24-0], and New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks.
In his last year at college, Tait-Jones was a key member of the St Patrick’s College team that came second in the schoolboy nationals.
He spent three years at the University of Hawaii Hilo playing division two basketball before going to the University of California San Diego, and playing division one.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, front middle, during a visit to Hoop Club Kapiti.
Tait-Jones is about to head back to the university for a second season.
“I’ve had some pro contracts offered to me, to come out of college, but I’ve said no to all of them because I want to go back and have another good year at San Diego and hopefully get a crack at summer league, which is like an NBA thing, or a contract in either Australia or Europe, which would be pretty cool.”
Various people have helped Tait-Jones, especially the late Kenny McFadden.
“He was my coach and fostered a love of the game.”
McFadden helped him get his first scholarship to Hawaii.
“He was helping me leave to go to San Diego when he passed away.
“Kenny was a huge influence on my basketball career.
