Former Far Eastern University mainstay Ken Tuffin is set to play for the Wellington Saints in New Zealand’s National Basketball League.
The Saints announced the signing of Tuffin, who suited up for the Taranaki Mountain Airs in his maiden NBL campaign last year as an amateur player.
Tuffin, who decided to skip his final playing year with FEU following the cancellation of the UAAP season, is ecstatic about playing for his hometown team for the coming NBL campaign.
“It is great to be back in my hometown to play for the Wellington Saints, a club with an amazing reputation, blessed to be able to put on the singlet,” said the 23-year-old Fil-Kiwi who grew up in Wellington before joining FEU.
He averaged 9.2 points on 45-percent shooting with 4.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 15 games for the Mountain Airs during the 2020 season. Tuffin helped the team reach the semis but lost to the Manawatu Jets.
“Kenneth is a young player who is hungry to learn and improve. He showed in 2020 at the Showdown that he shoots the ball efficiently, offers size and athleticism as a guard — which aids him finishing on the interior and when rebounding — and that he is a willing versatile defender,” said Saints coach Zico Coronel.
“We’re excited for Kenneth to add these attributes and more to our mix as we continue to build our roster,” added Coronel.
A familiar player will also join Tuffin at Wellington in Taane Samuel, who had a one year stint with La Salle in 2018.
Samuel was signed by the Saints in early-December.