August 1, 2025 • 7 mins
Wellington basketballer Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones has wrapped up his US College career with some major achievements - helping UC San Diego to a conference championship, and an MVP accolade.
Recently, he joined the Toronto Raptors in the prestigious NBA Summer League.
As part of a trip back home, Tait-Jones is returning to where it all began, and will run some coaching clinics at Hoop Club Kapiti on Sunday, and run a meet-and-greet at Paraparaumu College.
He joined Adam Cooper to chat about being back home, and his amazing basketball journey so far.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's talk basketball here on the All Sport Breakfast and
only when he would take Jones has had an amazing
basketball journey since he left Saint Pat's Town a few
years ago, so perhaps College town that is where he
went to school here in Wellington. He's featured prominently in
college basketball in the States, initially with the University of
Hawaii and more recently with UC San Diego, which resulted
(00:20):
in a college title and a Conference MVP honor. Niwa
was also picked up by the Toronto Raptors as parts
of the NBA Summer League over the last couple of months,
which is truly special. He's back home at the moment,
visiting friends and family back here in Wellington, and tomorrow
is donating his time to run some coaching clinics clinics
(00:41):
back where it all started for him at Hoop Club Carpety.
He's also going to run a meat and greet tomorrow
at parta part of Umer College as well. So we
thought it was nice to catch up with one when
he would take Jones to well discuss how everything's going
for him and what he's up to here in Wellington
this weekend. Morning to you and Niwa, thanks for your time.
I bet it's nice to be back home after a
crazy past couple of years for you.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Oh yeah, it's been crazy, man, like you said, but yeah,
so good to be home. There's nothing like it. Yeah,
loving it, bro, It's a little chili, but loving it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
I know your most recent one of your most recent
tasks was being part of the Toronto Raptors and the
NBA Summer League. How do you look back on that,
because I know game time might not have been exactly
sort of what you would have wanted, but just give
us a bit of a wrap up of what it
was like being in that environment, in that competition.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah. Man, it was a crazy experience. You know. I'm
just grateful to get my name caught up to play
for the Raptors. It was I mean, it was the NBA.
It was crazy being in Vegas for fourteen days playing
against other NBA teams. Just to thought of that was,
I mean something I would have never thought that I
(01:48):
would be doing. So yeah, no, I'm super grateful. It
was an awesome experience. I learnt so much from being
around you know, such high level guys and yeah, something
I'll never forget.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Yeah, I guess you'd spend a lot of time with coaches,
with other you know, support staff as well. You know
what kind of stuff did you take out of it
that will sort of, you know, help you get to
the next level.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, well, I mean every day that we had training,
I mean the NBA team was there, so you know,
I was, you know, shooting alongside guys like Brandon Ingram,
Scottie Barnes, just high level NBA guys, So just seeing
their habits, seeing their daily habits, and kind of learning
from their coaches as well. You know, I learned so
much and that's stuff that I've taken to my to
(02:30):
my own game. So yeah, no, it was. It was
truly specious, amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
How do you sort of look to improve yourself or
stand out if you're not always getting on the court,
how do you make sure the coaches are aware of
you are aware of what you're capable of as well?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Oh yeah, I mean, well we have practiced every day,
and you know, I might not be playing as much
as I want to play in the games, but we
have practiced every day and we're going on add it
every day in practice. So like I had fourteen days
to you know, show to the coaches what I can do.
So yeah, just being a part of that is where
I could show them what I could do amazing.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And so he went from March Madness to NBA Summer
League to Iconic for Basketball. Told him it's pretty special stuff, right.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, no, it was. It was. It was a dream, man,
That's what I dreamed of. That's why every every player
dreams of. So yeah, I'm just grateful I got to
experience that for sure.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah great, And so you're back here in Wellington for
a bit and and a bit happening out and out
in company tomorrow back to I guess where things started
for you in many ways, Hoop Club. How nice is
it to be able to come back and help out
of it there?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh that's awesome man. I mean that's where I started.
You know, guys like Kenny McFadden, Angela Robinson who runs
Sup Club Company. You know, I'm super close with him.
You know, I consider him part of my family. So yeah,
being able to go out and help low roll out
in company and give back to the kids and saw
a hoop club community that where where I where I
(03:59):
first started basketball, is something special. And that's what I
always try to do when I come home is try
to give back to the community. So no, I'm super
excited to go out and spend some time with the
kids out there. Should be pretty fun.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, great stuff. I mean, you obviously were a hoop
club a number of years ago. Now you've been in
the college system over in America. What's the sense of
how much basketball has grown even in those few years
since you were back as a youngster at some Pats
town here.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Oh, I mean, basketball has grown each man. I was
just down at the gym. I'm seeing thwoty guys playing
pick up basketball at lunchtime, and I think that's just
a testament to how much basketball is growing in New Zealand.
And I think it will continue to grow. I mean,
there's so many really good young players coming out of
the system. So yeah, I think New Zealand basketball is
(04:45):
hitting in the right direction for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And of course you reflect on a pretty amazing time
in the college system, a college title, a conference MVP,
which as America sort of what you would suggest to
young people that are at a certain level to pursue
the at the basketball journey.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Oh, for sure. You know, it's the highest level of
bastball in the world. I mean, you're say, here's the
best for a reason. You know, the NBA is the
highest level that you can play it. So yeah, I
think for sure that's what kids should be aiming for.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Was there a highlight from your time in the last
couple of years as here that it built up to
just some real success in that program over there?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, I think, you know, having the year that we had,
you know, winning the title, that was special, and having
my family over there as well, my whole family they
were over in San Diego to experience that, and my
dad was over in Vegas as well for the Summer League.
So I think just achieving all these you know, awesome
things and having my family around as well, that was
(05:45):
truly special.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, amazing. So what's next for you? And there was
obviously Summer League's gone now, yeah you're back home.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
What's sort of on your horizon at the moment with
your career?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, I think, you know, I'm just back home getting
ready to hit out again. Me and my agent kind
of figuring out what's next of going back with the
Raptors or hitting over to Europe to play professional So yeah,
we're just we're talking talking to different teams and seeing
what the best offer is going to be. But yeah,
that's where're at right now.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, amazing. I guess it's probably it's a tough time
for everyone, but also an exciting time writer as you
consider a range of options.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Oh yeah, I mean that's exciting, man. I'm sure where
rained up will be will be awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yeah. Great. And how do you sort of keep yourself?
I guess when you're not maybe part of a team
and stuff. Is it just that individual training you have
to sort of keep motivated on yourself and keep doing
that at this very moment.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh yeah, no, just working out every day. I'm working
out with Brendan Polly blank at Akutani every day. So yeah, man,
working hard and never given up. Man.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Yeah, awesome mate. Well, I'm sure a lot of people
that might catch her in company this weekend. We'll we'll
be able to ask you plenty of questions as well.
I'm sure you enjoy being able to give some advice
and some good tips some youngsters.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah. No, I'm really excited to get up to company.
It should be a lot of fun, you know, being
around young kids. So yeah, man, I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Brilliant there. Well, great to have you back mate, and
congratulations on the year you've had in the game so far, mate,
and yeah, all the best with what's next, mate, and
we look for to following those nixt steps were with
great progress and interest as well, mate. So thanks for
your time.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Yea, sir Man, thank you so much for having me
on man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
For more from News Talks ed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
Let's talk basketball here on the All Sport Breakfast and
only when he would take Jones has had an amazing
basketball journey since he left Saint Pat's Town a few
years ago, so perhaps College town that is where he
went to school here in Wellington. He's featured prominently in
college basketball in the States, initially with the University of
Hawaii and more recently with UC San Diego, which resulted
(00:20):
in a college title and a Conference MVP honor. Niwa
was also picked up by the Toronto Raptors as parts
of the NBA Summer League over the last couple of months,
which is truly special. He's back home at the moment,
visiting friends and family back here in Wellington, and tomorrow
is donating his time to run some coaching clinics clinics
(00:41):
back where it all started for him at Hoop Club Carpety.
He's also going to run a meat and greet tomorrow
at parta part of Umer College as well. So we
thought it was nice to catch up with one when
he would take Jones to well discuss how everything's going
for him and what he's up to here in Wellington
this weekend. Morning to you and Niwa, thanks for your time.
I bet it's nice to be back home after a
crazy past couple of years for you.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Oh yeah, it's been crazy, man, like you said, but yeah,
so good to be home. There's nothing like it. Yeah,
loving it, bro, It's a little chili, but loving it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
I know your most recent one of your most recent
tasks was being part of the Toronto Raptors and the
NBA Summer League. How do you look back on that,
because I know game time might not have been exactly
sort of what you would have wanted, but just give
us a bit of a wrap up of what it
was like being in that environment, in that competition.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah. Man, it was a crazy experience. You know. I'm
just grateful to get my name caught up to play
for the Raptors. It was I mean, it was the NBA.
It was crazy being in Vegas for fourteen days playing
against other NBA teams. Just to thought of that was,
I mean something I would have never thought that I
(01:48):
would be doing. So yeah, no, I'm super grateful. It
was an awesome experience. I learnt so much from being
around you know, such high level guys and yeah, something
I'll never forget.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Yeah, I guess you'd spend a lot of time with coaches,
with other you know, support staff as well. You know
what kind of stuff did you take out of it
that will sort of, you know, help you get to
the next level.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Yeah, well, I mean every day that we had training,
I mean the NBA team was there, so you know,
I was, you know, shooting alongside guys like Brandon Ingram,
Scottie Barnes, just high level NBA guys, So just seeing
their habits, seeing their daily habits, and kind of learning
from their coaches as well. You know, I learned so
much and that's stuff that I've taken to my to
(02:30):
my own game. So yeah, no, it was. It was
truly specious, amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
How do you sort of look to improve yourself or
stand out if you're not always getting on the court,
how do you make sure the coaches are aware of
you are aware of what you're capable of as well?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Oh yeah, I mean, well we have practiced every day,
and you know, I might not be playing as much
as I want to play in the games, but we
have practiced every day and we're going on add it
every day in practice. So like I had fourteen days
to you know, show to the coaches what I can do.
So yeah, just being a part of that is where
I could show them what I could do amazing.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And so he went from March Madness to NBA Summer
League to Iconic for Basketball. Told him it's pretty special stuff, right.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, no, it was. It was. It was a dream, man,
That's what I dreamed of. That's why every every player
dreams of. So yeah, I'm just grateful I got to
experience that for sure.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Yeah great, And so you're back here in Wellington for
a bit and and a bit happening out and out
in company tomorrow back to I guess where things started
for you in many ways, Hoop Club. How nice is
it to be able to come back and help out
of it there?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh that's awesome man. I mean that's where I started.
You know, guys like Kenny McFadden, Angela Robinson who runs
Sup Club Company. You know, I'm super close with him.
You know, I consider him part of my family. So yeah,
being able to go out and help low roll out
in company and give back to the kids and saw
a hoop club community that where where I where I
(03:59):
first started basketball, is something special. And that's what I
always try to do when I come home is try
to give back to the community. So no, I'm super
excited to go out and spend some time with the
kids out there. Should be pretty fun.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, great stuff. I mean, you obviously were a hoop
club a number of years ago. Now you've been in
the college system over in America. What's the sense of
how much basketball has grown even in those few years
since you were back as a youngster at some Pats
town here.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Oh, I mean, basketball has grown each man. I was
just down at the gym. I'm seeing thwoty guys playing
pick up basketball at lunchtime, and I think that's just
a testament to how much basketball is growing in New Zealand.
And I think it will continue to grow. I mean,
there's so many really good young players coming out of
the system. So yeah, I think New Zealand basketball is
(04:45):
hitting in the right direction for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And of course you reflect on a pretty amazing time
in the college system, a college title, a conference MVP,
which as America sort of what you would suggest to
young people that are at a certain level to pursue
the at the basketball journey.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Oh, for sure. You know, it's the highest level of
bastball in the world. I mean, you're say, here's the
best for a reason. You know, the NBA is the
highest level that you can play it. So yeah, I
think for sure that's what kids should be aiming for.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Was there a highlight from your time in the last
couple of years as here that it built up to
just some real success in that program over there?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, I think, you know, having the year that we had,
you know, winning the title, that was special, and having
my family over there as well, my whole family they
were over in San Diego to experience that, and my
dad was over in Vegas as well for the Summer League.
So I think just achieving all these you know, awesome
things and having my family around as well, that was
(05:45):
truly special.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, amazing. So what's next for you? And there was
obviously Summer League's gone now, yeah you're back home.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
What's sort of on your horizon at the moment with
your career?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, I think, you know, I'm just back home getting
ready to hit out again. Me and my agent kind
of figuring out what's next of going back with the
Raptors or hitting over to Europe to play professional So yeah,
we're just we're talking talking to different teams and seeing
what the best offer is going to be. But yeah,
that's where're at right now.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, amazing. I guess it's probably it's a tough time
for everyone, but also an exciting time writer as you
consider a range of options.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Oh yeah, I mean that's exciting, man. I'm sure where
rained up will be will be awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yeah. Great. And how do you sort of keep yourself?
I guess when you're not maybe part of a team
and stuff. Is it just that individual training you have
to sort of keep motivated on yourself and keep doing
that at this very moment.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh yeah, no, just working out every day. I'm working
out with Brendan Polly blank at Akutani every day. So yeah, man,
working hard and never given up. Man.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Yeah, awesome mate. Well, I'm sure a lot of people
that might catch her in company this weekend. We'll we'll
be able to ask you plenty of questions as well.
I'm sure you enjoy being able to give some advice
and some good tips some youngsters.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah. No, I'm really excited to get up to company.
It should be a lot of fun, you know, being
around young kids. So yeah, man, I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Brilliant there. Well, great to have you back mate, and
congratulations on the year you've had in the game so far, mate,
and yeah, all the best with what's next, mate, and
we look for to following those nixt steps were with
great progress and interest as well, mate. So thanks for
your time.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Yea, sir Man, thank you so much for having me
on man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
For more from News Talks ed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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