What better way to warm up for the third instalment of the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi than with some ABC's.
In this week's Straight Shot, Sky commentator Justin Nelson takes you through what to look for this season via every letter of the alphabet.
The Tauihi action starts this week with every game live on Sky 2 (NZ), ESPN 3 (United States) and FIBA You Tube (globally).
Friday October 4 – Queens vs Hoiho – Te Rauparaha Arena – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm - tickets HERE.
Saturday October 5 – Whai vs vs Pouākai – QEYC – Rapid 6:30pm / Tauihi 7:30pm - tickets HERE.
Sunday Oct 6 – Kāhu vs Hoiho – Eventfinda Stadium – Rapid 2:00pm / Tauihi 3:00pm - tickets HERE.
If you know your ABC's, then sing along with me.
A is for ... Americans ... the WNBA players coming to New Zealand for a great life experience and 12 weeks of basketball is growing by the season. And we are talking elite! It's great to have some of the world's best bring their talent to Aotearoa.
B is for ... Blocks ... and with international shot-blocking sensation Tamari Key (Queens) joining Tauihi we are set to see plenty of swats. Key holds the all-time record for blocks at the University of Tennessee with 347, which is also good enough for 6th in SEC (South Eastern Conference) women's basketball history.
C is for ... Cowling and Championship ... one of last year's very best is back, and this time Mikayala Cowling has a reloaded squad around her at the Whai which will help make them a genuine championship contender.
D is for ... Development ... which is exactly what Rapid League delivers in a big, big way. The world-first competition has proven a winner for young players as they quickly progress their game by playing valuable minutes against high-level players. Get along early and enjoy the extra hoops - you'll love Rapid League.
E is for ... Entertainment, Excitement, Energy and Epic ... Given season 2024 is Rated E, we could go on and on ... Electric, Euphoria, Elite, Enjoyment, Explosive, Elevate but perhaps most importantly Everyone!!
F is for ... Fans First ... that's how Tauihi rolls, it's all about the Fans. Bring the Family, bring your Friends, and have Fun.
G is for ... Girls Got Game ... this season all five Tauihi teams will be out in the community and at schools promoting basketball via the 2degrees Girls Got Game programme. Such a good way to get into basketball.
H is for ... Hoiho ... the team from the deep south have an exciting roster and want another crack at the playoffs. Look for Kiwi Zoe Richards and her team to be a contender again.
I is for ... Innovation .... when it comes to doing things differently, basketball in NZ is a mile in front. Rapid League, player only timeouts, the Chemist Warehouse stripe, 6 personal fouls, just to name a few. Tauihi is a leader in the innovation space.
J is for ... Jordan Horston ... how good is it to have top-1o WNBA draft pick and current Seattle Storm star Jordan Horston here for Tauihi '24. Amazing. Make sure you grab your tickets to see Horston (Queens) in action.
K is for ... Kāhu ... the champs are back and they're ready to go. With a new ownership group and a mix of new and returning stars, the 2023 title holders will be a frontrunner again.
L is for ... Laina Snyder ... the league's leading scorer in 2022 is back, but this time she'll be in Whai colours, not Hoiho colours.
M is for ... Money ... a big pay rise for Tauihi players in season 3 with payments doubling. The word is out, the Tauihi is a great league to play in and earn some good dollars!
N is for ... Neighbours ... and we have quite a few from across the ditch this season. In total, nine of our Aussie cuzzies will start the season - Steph Bairstow, Lily Rotunno and Chloe Forster (Kāhu), Chelsea D'Angelo and Ahlise Hurst (Hoiho), Lara McSpadden and Morgan Yaegar (Whai), Lou Brown (Queens), and Mikhaela Cann (Pouākai).
O is for ... Offence ... and this season will be elite. Get ready for buckets ... and lots of them.
P is for ... Pouākai ... the Christchurch-based team missed the playoffs in 2023 and don't want to be the odd one out for a second consecutive time. With their third head coach in three seasons, will this be the year the Pouākai raise their first Tauihi trophy?
Q is for ... Queens ... the team from the capital has reloaded with significant talent and they want their crown back. The 2022 champs look strong on paper, but can they bring the fire on court?
R is for ... Rapid League ... the popular innovation is back and set to showcase many young Kiwi stars. Get ready to see future Tall Ferns develop right before your eyes. Rapid League is played right before every Tauihi game and features each team's bench players in a fast-paced 4 x 4-minute game.
S is for ... Selfies ... one of the best parts of attending a Tauihi game is meeting the players on court straight after the game for a selfie, or two, or three, or ... actually, grab one with every player!
T is for ... Television ... and every single Tauihi game will be live on Sky (NZ), ESPN (USA) and FIBA You Tube (globally). Strap yourself in!
U is for ... Universal ... the great thing about Tauihi is basketball is played right across the world, it's universal. And that means we get to see players from other countries - this season it includes players from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Korea and the United States.
V is for ... Victory ... five teams start the journey, only one team will finish it. The final will be played on Sunday December 22 and one team will be victorious - who do you think will go all the way?
W is for ... Whai ... the team is stacked with scoring options and will take some stopping. The baskets are going to flow this season in Tauranga.
X is for ... X-Ray Vision ... otherwise known as what Paige Bradley (Hoiho) has when she's dropping dimes.
Y is for ... Yummy ... which in basketball means a Sal's Pizza. Look for the weekly Sal's Specials during Tauihi games on Sky and enjoy New Zealand's best pizza while you're watching great basketball.
Z is for ... Zoe Richards ... Dunedin's favourite daughter is ready to lead the Hoiho once again and you just know she will bring the passion and determination every game. Thanks Zoe for helping us out with the 'Z'.
