Samantha Bowman (#15)

Position: Centre

Height: 188cm

Born: 30 May, 2000 in Washington

High School: Zillah High School

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Since her 4 year career at Central Washington University (NCAA D2) Bowman has played two seasons at Rockhampton Cyclones in NBL1 West.

In 2024 averaged 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Scored in double figures in all 21 games scoring a season high 33 points against Sunshine Coast Phoenix in June.

In her senior year (2022-23) at Central Washington set numerous records including most career rebounds (1,219), rebounding average (10.2), field goals made (666) and games played (120).

Named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Paige Bradley (#22)

Position: Guard

Height: 178cm

Born: February 15, 1994 in Woodlands, Texas

High School: Woodlands High School

Previous Tauihi clubs – Hoiho (2023 – present)

The American guard played all 14 games for Hoiho in 2023 – named to the  All-Star Five after averaging 14.6 points and 7.8 assists per game.

Had a season highs:

22 points against Pouakai in July and 12 assists against Queens in September

Headed to Australia following the 2023 Tauihi season. Played for Sydney Flames in the 2023-24 Australian WNBL season averaging 8.9 points and 3.6 assists for Guy Molloy’s team.

Then played for Knox Raiders in 2024 NBL1 South averaging 16.3 points and 5.4 assists per game.

Bradley played four years at Denver University playing 117 games. In her senior year (2015-16) averaged a career best 13.6 points per contest and was fourth in the Summit League with 3.4 assists per game.

Became just the second player at Denver Pioneers to accrue 1,200 points, 300 rebounds and 350 assists.

Post college she played five years in Germany and one in Luxembourg before heading to Australia.

Elise Carline (#18)

Position: Forward

Height: 186cm

Born: 18 August, 2006

Junior Association: Otago

High School: Queens High School, Dunedin

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Played for the New Zealand team at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup in China and the 2023 FIBA Oceania Championship.

Played for Otago at the 2024 U18 National Championship.

A Year 13 student at Queens High School in 2024.

Natalie Chou (#23)

Position: Wing

Height: 185cm

Born: 22 December, 1997 in Beaumont, Texas

High School: Piano West High School

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Made her mark in NBL1 West 2024 averaging 18.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Recorded a triple-double of 20 points, 10 rebounds and 14 steals against East Perth Eagles in May.

Has also played in Germany and Sweden.

Played 2 years at Baylor University prior to 3 years at UCLA. In her senior year (2021-22) averaged 9.5 points per game. Chou played at the NCAA Tournament in both years at Baylor.

Won a gold medal with the USA team at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Cup and a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.

Mother Quanli Li played for the Chinese National Team.

Time Magazine featured Chou in December 2017

Alexa Duff (#1)

Position: Guard

Height: 178cm

Born: 20 December, 2006

High School: Columba College, Dunedin??

Previous NBL clubs – Hoiho (2023-present)

One of the leading young players in the southern region, Alexa is in Year 12 at Columba College. Was in the Hoiho wider squad in 2023 but did not play a game.

Was the leading scorer for Otago at the 2024 U20 National Championships in June – averaged 13.3 points per game.

Names as a reserve for the New Zealand team that attended the 2024 FIBA Asia Cup in China.

In 2022 broke the Otago U15 javelin record with a throw of 36.2 metres.

Aliyah Dunn (#12)

Position: Forward

Height: 188cm

Born: 19 October, 1999

Junior Association: Southland

High School: Verdon College, Invercargill

Highest Representative Honour – Junior Tall Ferns

Previous NBL clubs – Tokomanawa Queens (2022)

Played 7 games for the Queens for the championship winning Queens in 2022.

Better known for her netball exploits – Dunn debuted in the ANZ Premiership in 2017 and was first  capped by the Silver Ferns in 2018  – she was a Junior Tall Fern in 2016.

The Junior Tall Ferns squad in 2016 included Tauihi Aotearoa players Tera Reed, Esra McGoldrick, Kendell Heremaia and Nicole Ruske.

Samara Gallaher (#9)

Position: Guard

Height: 180cm

Born: August 6, 1992

Junior Association: Otago

High School: Kavanagh College

Highest Representative Honour –Tall Ferns

Previous NBL clubs – Otago Gold Rush (2009-16 and 2021), Southern Hoiho (2022-present)

The only ever-present for Hoiho over the 2022 and 2023 seasons appearing in all 25 games.

 Scored a Tauihi best 19 points against Northern Kāhu in Round 2 of the 2022 season.

Gallaher was a member of the 2011 and 2015 Gold Rush WBC Championship winning teams – named to the WBC All-Star in 2011.

Played for Hume City in Victoria’s Big V competition in 2015 and 2016, winning a championship in the second year.

Debuted for the Tall Ferns in 2013 and made 14 international appearances before being forced into a premature retirement from international basketball due to injury.

Abby Harris (#14)

Position: Forward

Height: 185cm

Born: June 19, 2004

Junior Association: Otago

High School: Otago Girls High School

Previous NBL clubs – Hoiho (2023)

Played 2 games for Hoiho in 2023 – debuted against Pouākai in September.

Has progressed through the Otago Basketball programme representing the province at all levels from U13’s.

Was a reserve for the New Zealand U18 team in 2022.

Ahlise Hurst (#3)

Position: Guard

Height: 175cm

Born: January 6, 2000 in Bendigo, Australia

High School: Bendigo Senior Secondary College

Previous Tauihi clubs – Southern Hoiho (2023-present)

Played all 13 games for Southern Hoiho in 2023 scoring 242 points at 16.6ppg. Scored a season best 32 points against the Queens in the final regular season game.

Played for Ringwood Hawks in 2024 NBL1 South averaging 16.6ppg.

Spent the 2023-24 Australian WNBL season with Sydney Flames (alongside Paige Bradley) and the 2017-18 season playing for Bendigo Spirit prior to her American collegiate career.

Played three years at the University of New Mexico followed by two years at the University of Oregon totalling 143 NCAA Division I appearances.

Averaged 11 points per game in her three seasons at New Mexico and 5.5 points per game with the Oregon Ducks. Played 32 games in her senior year (2022-23) – scored a season best 23 points against San Diego in the Round of 16 at the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in what was her penultimate collegiate game.

Father Joe Hurst played in the Australian NBL for Hobart Devils in 1988-89.

Tyler Mitchell (#7)

Position: Guard

Height: 178cm

Born: August 15, 2002

Junior Association: Waikato

High School: Hamilton Girls High School

Previous NBL clubs – Hoiho (2022-present)

Played 8 games for Hoiho in 2022 and all 13 games in 2023. Scored a Tauihi best 16 points against the Queens in the final regular season game.

Named MVP at the 2023 Tertiary National Championships leading Otago University to the Grand Final victory against Lincoln University.

From Te Kuiti, a granddaughter of Colin Meads.

Studying to be a pharmacist.

Caitlin O’Connell (#5)

Position: Guard

Height: 178cm

Born: August 23, 2002

Junior Association: Taranaki Country

High School: Sacred Heart Girls’ College, New Plymouth

Highest Representative Honour – Junior Tall Ferns

Previous NBL clubs – Taranaki Thunder (2018 & 2020), Otago Gold Rush (2021-22), Southern Hoiho (2023-present)

Played 9 games for the Hoiho in 2023 – scored a season high 5 points against Mainland Pouākai. 

Played for the D League championship winning Taranaki Thunder team in 2020 and Otago Gold Rush (runners-up) in 2022 – named to the Tournament Team in 2022.

Named to the New Zealand Junior Tall Ferns team for a Four Nations Tournament in China in 2020 but the tour was subsequently cancelled due to Covid.

Played for New Zealand silver medal winning team at the 2019 FIBA Oceania Championships in New Caledonia.

Named to the All-Star Five at the 2023 Tertiary National Championships helping Otago University to the Grand Final victory against Lincoln University.

Zoe Richards (#24)

Position: Forward

Height: 187cm

Born: October 4, 1997

Junior Association: Otago

High School: St Hilda’s College

Highest Representative Honour –Tall Ferns, debuted in 2019

Previous NBL clubs – Otago Gold Rush (2014-2019), Southern Hoiho (2022-present)

Named the Most Improved Player in Tauihi Aotearoa 2023 – averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds across 12 games.

Has played 24 games for Hoiho in 2022 and 2023. Scored a career best 30 points against Tauranga Whai in September, 2023.

Played 22 games for Hobart Chargers in NBL1 South averaging 8.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Played all three games for the Tall Ferns at the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in China.

She was a member of the Tall Ferns team that finished runners-up at the 2019 William Jones Cup.

Played for the Contern Club in the Luxembourg League in 2022-23 season.

Following high school Richards spent a season (2016-17) at Gillette College playing alongside twin sister Brittany. She then played three seasons at Eckerd College  (NCAA Division II) helping the Tritons win the Sunshine State Conference title in 2020 – her senior year.

Played all 91 games for the Tritons in her three years on the team amassing 982 points and 430 rebounds.

Millie Simpson (#6)

Position: Guard

Height: 171cm

Born: November 22, 2000

Junior Association: North Harbour

High School: Carmel College

Previous NBL clubs – Otago Gold Rush, Southern Hoiho (2023-present)

Played 7 games for Hoiho in 2023.

Was a member of the Otago University team that won the 2023 New Zealand Tertiary National Championship. 

Plays for South Pacific Magic in the Dunedin club competition. Was named the overall MVP of the League in the 2021 competition.

Studying Medicine at Otago University

Elise Gilbert (#28)