Ken Tuffin

Kenneth James D. Tuffin[1] is a Filipino-New Zealand basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Wellington Saints of New Zealand's National Basketball League.

Ken Tuffin
Wellington Saints
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1997-05-05) May 5, 1997
New Zealand
NationalityFilipino / New Zealand
Listed height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Career information
High schoolSt Patrick's College, Silverstream
CollegeFar Eastern University (2016–2019)
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020Taranaki Mountainairs
2021–presentWellington Saints

Early life and education

Tuffin was born on 5 May 1997[2] in New Zealand, spending his childhood in Wellington. As a child, Tuffin had watched games of the New Zealand National Basketball League[3] and his father used to take him to basketball games.[4]

For his high school studies, Tuffin attended St. Patrick's College in Upper Hutt.[5] He was widely involved in his high school's academic program, playing for St Patrick's basketball, cricket, and rugby teams.[6]

He moved to the Philippines at age 18 to pursue collegiate studies at the Far Eastern University in Manila.[3]

Collegiate career

Tuffin played for the FEU Tamaraws basketball team which played at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).[3] FEU did not finished outside the Final Four, in all seasons that Tuffin played (Season 79 to 82; 2016–2019).[5] In Season 82, Tuffin was made captain of the Tamaraws.[7]

After Season 82, Tuffin secured a stint with Taranaki Mountainairs of New Zealand's National Basketball League (NBL) while retaining his amateur status allowing Tuffin to return to FEU for Season 83 in 2021, his last season of eligibility.[8] However Tuffin forgoed his final year of eligibility after Season 83's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

New Zealand NBL

Tuffin was the 44th overall selection in New Zealand NBL for the 2020 season. He was selected by the Taranaki Mountainairs. Prior to the draft, Tuffin secured consent from FEU to play in the NBL and joined the league as an amateur player.[10]

He plans to play professionally after he graduates from FEU and is open to the possibility in playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.[11] However in December 2020, he decided to forego his final year of eligiblity to play for FEU after UAAP Season 83's cancellation and decided to turn professional.[9]

National team career

Tuffin is eligible to play for the national teams of the Philippines and New Zealand. He is among the 23 youths included in the Philippines' #23for23 pool of players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[12]He was also included in New Zealand's pool for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. [13]

Personal life

Tuffin's mother was born in Rosario, La Union and has relatives living in the provinces of Pampanga and Pangasinan.[11]

References
  1. Lising, Charmie (3 October 2018). "Tamaraws upend skidding Bulldogs to book third win". ESPN5. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  2. "Kenneth Tuffin – Player Bio". Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (15 June 2020). "FEU captain Ken Tuffin drafted in New Zealand semi-pro league". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  4. Morales, Luisa (28 June 2020). "New Zealand stint 'dream come true' for Fil-Kiwi Tuffin". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. Lozada, Bong (1 November 2019). "With another stint in the Final 4, Tuffin motivated to help FEU 'do something special'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. Barton, Tim (2 June 2015). "Silverstream's Kenneth Tuffin seeks further sporting honours". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  7. Atencio, Peter (2 September 2019). "Fil-Kiwi Tuffin to play bigger role for FEU". Manila Standard. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  8. Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (15 June 2020). "NBL draftee Ken Tuffin: 'My career in FEU is NOT over'". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. Leongson, Randolph (21 December 2020). "Ken Tuffin foregoes final year with FEU to turn pro in NZ". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  10. Li, Matthew (15 June 2020). "Ken Tuffin drafted as 44th overall pick in NZ NBL Draft". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. Leongson, Randolph (30 June 2020). "Ken Tuffin still targets the PBA after FEU, NZ NBL stints". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  12. Lintag, Paul Kennedy (29 June 2020). "Whatever happened to Gilas Pilipinas #23for23?". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  13. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/23-23-gilas-cadet-tuffin-added-tall-black-pool/187421
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