Vukona Inks With Blaze
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad, Tall Blacks
The Gold Coast Blaze have signed Tall Blacks forward Mika Vukona, one of the most sought after recruits in the Australian National Basketball League, for 2009-10.
Fresh off a championship with the South Dragons, Vukona joins his New Zealand national teammate Pero Cameron on the Blaze roster.
Vukona is arguably the most athletic player in the ANBL and at 1.98m (6ft 6in) is a superb rebounder who played an essential role in the Dragons championship run last season.
He is also an exceptional defender, a quality highly prized by head coach Joey Wright.
Blaze CEO Dave Claxton saidthe club is elated with the signing.
“Vukona brings extreme athleticism and speed to our team,” Claxton said.
“He is a brilliant rebounder and a great defender. His athletic ability allows him to play above the rim and fans will find him a very exciting player to watch.”
A Fiji-born Kiwi, Vukona played for the NZ Breakers from 2004-2008 before joining the South Dragons for season 2008-09.
He has been a regular member of the Tall Blacks squad since his debut in 2005, and has played at a Commonwealth Games and FIBA World Championship in 2006 and the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament last year.
The Blaze have already announced the signings of Cameron, Adam Gibson, Tyson Demos, Greg Vanderjagt and Chris Goulding.
