Reuben Te Rangi Notches 300 NBL Games

28-year-old Phoenix guard Reuben Te Rangi will play his 300th NBL game this Sunday against the Perth Wildcats at a sold-out State Basketball Centre.

The New Zealander started his professional basketball career in 2012 in the New Zealand NBL before making his debut in the Australian NBL with the New Zealand Breakers also in 2012. He began as a development player before joining the full-roster in 2013. In the four years he spent at the Breakers, he won two championships in 2013 and 2015, with the 2015 championship being a highlight of his career so far.

“I think the highlight for me, first off, playing basketball as a professional and getting paid to do what I love. Secondly, probably at the Breakers, where we won the championship on the buzzer, that was a pretty cool feeling,” Te Rangi commented.

(Te Rangi playing for the Bullets against the Phoenix in 2020 before joining them the next season.)

After his time at the Breakers, Te Rangi joined the Brisbane Bullets from 2016-20, where he continued to develop and won both the Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards in 2019. 

He joined the South East Melbourne Phoenix in 2020, in the club’s second season as a franchise, where he has become a leader among the group with his 11 years of experience in the NBL.

“The club has put a big emphasis on being a leader in this team. I think taking on that role has been awesome for me, just to learn what I can do, what I can do better and how I can help the team,” he said.

The young veteran was humbled to be notching 300 NBL games but proud of the achievement of getting to the milestone with the hard work he has put in.

“It feels good. Obviously, the body thinks different, but it’s a good feeling. It’s a testament to the work I put in every day. It’s cool,” Te Rangi said.

(Te Rangi will play his 300th NBL game against the Wildcats on Sunday in front of a sold out SBC.)

Along his journey, he has also played multiple seasons back in his home country New Zealand, winning multiple championships with the Southland Sharks and Wellington Saints. 

He has also represented New Zealand nationally on various occasions with the Tall Blacks at World Cups. He captained his country in the 2017 Asia Cup and was a part of the side that won a bronze medal in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Phoenix Media (20/1/23)