Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Napier, New Zealand |
4 January 1980
Nationality | New Zealand |
Listed height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) |
Listed weight | 95 kg (209 lb) |
Career information | |
High school | Napier Boys' (Napier, New Zealand) |
Playing career | 1998–2015 |
Position | Shooting guard / Small forward |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1998 | Hawke's Bay Hawks |
1999 | Auckland Rebels |
2000–2002 | Hawke's Bay Hawks |
2003–2011 | Waikato Titans/Pistons |
2014 | Southland Sharks |
2015 | Super City Rangers |
As coach: | |
2012–2013 | Waikato Wizards |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Puke Lenden (born 4 January 1980) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player.
From 1998 to 2002, Lenden played in the New Zealand NBL for the Hawke's Bay Hawks and the Auckland Rebels, winning his first championship in 1999 with the Rebels. From 2003 to 2005, he played for the Waikato Titans, and from 2006 to 2011, he played for the Waikato Pistons after the club changed its name from Titans to Pistons. Lenden was named the 2008 Finals MVP following the Pistons' 2–0 series defeat of the Wellington Saints; he averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in the Finals as a role player. In 2009, the Pistons also won the championship after defeating the Nelson Giants, 2–0.
On 5 June 2014, Lenden signed with the Southland Sharks for the rest of the 2014 New Zealand NBL season. After a successful return to action in 2014, he joined the Super City Rangers for the 2015 season.
In 2012 and 2013, Lenden coached the Waikato Wizards of the Women's Basketball Championship (WBC).
Lenden's mother, Lesley, lives in Whakatu.