Vukona Raises Ton
Tagged in: NZ Breakers, Tall Blacks
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He is one of only two NZ Breakers remaining from the foundation playing roster five seasons ago and on Saturday night in Melbourne, Mika Vukona will become only the third person to notch up 100 games for the club.
A development player in the inaugural 2003/2004 season, Vukona stepped into the elite roster in his third season and has stepped up, mainly against bigger opponents, ever since.
Despite his long service Vukona is surprised he has joined Paul Henare and Aaron Olson in hitting the ton – “I’m pretty shocked, I still thought I had a fair way to go”. But he is happy.
“As a development player I was always just hoping to make the team. I never thought I’d get to this point,” Vukona said. “I had to keep chipping away until I finally got the chance. Because I wanted to stay I’ve been playing hard ever since.”
At just 1.98cm Vukona looks up to most of his opponents. But he never bows to them. And what he lacks in height he has made up for by putting the ‘pow’ in power forward.
“Aggression has always been the backbone of how I play,” he said. “It’s had to be. I enjoy the way I play. It’s just been a matter of finding a good balance.
“Playing in the four or sometimes even the five spot has always been a challenge. But it feels great when you can get one over these big guys. Then your confidence grows.
“I try to step up to each challenge because if I don’t I feel like I’m letting my team mates down.”
A New Zealand representative at Under-16, U-18 and U-20 level before making his senior Tall Black debut in 2005, Vukona earned a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and went on to play at the FIBA World Championships in Japan later that year.
He was first introduced to the game by his older brother Ilati, a major catalyst in generating some passion in his laidback sibling, and moved from the Bay of Plenty to Nelson in his last year of high school in 2000 to take part in the Giants’ development program.
Looking back on his 99 games for the Breakers, Vukona immediately singles out his debut under original coach Jeff Green as his favourite moment.
He is physically stronger and faster, but believes he has made the biggest strides in mental preparation. And he is adamant he wants to keep improving.
“I see myself as a defensive player who injects energy and hopes to lift the players around you.
“My offensive game has become a little stagnant and I feel like I’ve got more to give there – just taking more on the three, penetrating more and becoming more confident in your handles.
“It’s about honing skills and working on weaknesses. Everyone wants to round out their game.”
The crowd favourite has seen first-hand the Breakers’ struggle to become a force in the Hummer Championship NBL, but he has no qualms about the club’s future.
“The club has definitely grown. It has learnt a few lessons here and there and it is definitely on the up.
“Management has done a great job. They’re good people and when you look at our office and training facilities it’s a strong foundation.
“We’ve got the core team back next year and having Kirk Penney willing to stick around, wow, it’s all good.”
The squad of 10 for this weekend’s excursion into Tiger country is: Paul Henare, Orien Greene, Brent Charleton, Paora Winitana, Phill Jones, Kirk Penney, Oscar Forman, Mika Vukona, Derrick Alston and Tim Behrendorff.
