Te Rangi Lifts Rams to Shock Finals Run

Reuben Te Rangi’s New Zealand NBL season drew to a dramatic conclusion last week in Auckland.

The new Phoenix forward joined the Canterbury Rams mid-season, playing the final seven games on the bottom-placed 4-10 side.

But despite their lowly seeding, the compressed format of the tournament this year meant the Rams had the opportunity to win a wildcard playoffs berth.

On the back of 13 points per game in limited minutes from the 198cm Kiwi star, Canterbury shocked the league and made a deep finals run, ending in a semi-final defeat to the eventual champions, Otago.

The impressive seven-game stretch has Te Rangi primed to join the Phoenix’s preparations for NBL21 in full flight in the coming months.

“It’s been good for my progression through this off-season, getting the lungs under me and a feel for the game again,” Te Rangi said.

“It helps me stay fit, keep on top of my body and play some basketball while we’re still in these trying times.

“It’s been fun and I’m hoping to build a little bit more.”

Te Rangi is hoping to move to Melbourne and join the team’s pre-season training as soon as possible once restrictions ease.

The 25-year-old played with Adam Gibson and Cam Gliddon at Brisbane, and under Phoenix assistant coach Judd Flavell as a junior, for the Breakers in the NBL and even in the NZNBL.

(Gibson and Te Rangi in action for the Bullets)

He says his established relationships will help him ease into Melbourne life when he makes the trip.

“Judd’s already been telling me the areas around where he’s living, so I’m close,” Te Rangi said.

“It’ll be good to be back with Juddy. I had two years with him down in Southland in the New Zealand league and I really enjoyed my time with him.

“I played a few seasons with Adam Gibson and two seasons with Glizzo (Cam Gliddon). I think it just makes the transition a little easier for me, coming down from Brisbane.”

The two-time NBL Champion also has family living in Melbourne.

And in true Melburnian fashion, they’ve already told him which AFL team to barrack for.

“I have a lot of family there, so it’ll be awesome to reconnect with all my family that live over there in Melbourne,” he said.

“I’ve got a few aunties and cousins that live over there. They’ve been there for a long time and told me that I’m a Carlton supporter from now on!”

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Sam Bunn for Phoenix Media (5/8/2020)