Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is mourning the loss of basketball legend Kenny McFadden this morning, after he tragically passed away from polycystic kidney disease overnight.
McFadden, 61, was a former professional basketball player who became instrumental in developing and coaching New Zealand’s young basketball players over the past 40 years.
He first came to New Zealand in 1982 from his hometown of East Lansing, Michigan via Washington State University. In his first year he guided the Wellington Saints to their second division title, before going onto six straight NBL Grand Finals. McFadden led the Saints to championships in 1984, ’85, ’87 and ’88.
He finished his NBL playing career with four titles with the Saints, having played 252 NBL games and scoring over 5,000 points at a career average of 20ppg – his jersey now hanging from their rafters in recognition of his incredible career. He was also a 2-time scoring champion, a 3-time assist champion and last year was named the second-greatest NBL player of all time.
Following his retirement in 1996, McFadden transitioned into the coaching and junior player development space. In 2007 he was an assistant coach with the Emerging Tall Blacks team, later being named head coach of the Tall Blacks U19 team for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in Auckland.
In 2010 and 2011, he served as an assistant coach for the Saints under coach current Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron, returning to the role in 2019 under coach Paul Henare.
He built a reputation for his work with youth in a mentoring and development role, helping hundreds of talented young kiwi basketballers – including Steven Adams – to reach their sporting potential; many players under his wing would go on to have collegiate careers in the United States and beyond.
BBNZ Chief Executive, Dillon Boucher says that McFadden’s passing will be felt widely across the Wellington and New Zealand basketball community.
“Kenny is a legend of the game, when you talk about the history of New Zealand NBL his name is always mentioned as one of our greatest imports ever,” says Boucher.
“He had an immense impact on the game, not just winning multiple championships with the Saints but his work as a coach and a mentor to young players as well.
“For me he was someone that as a youngster I grew up watching and idolising, but it was his efforts off the court – in the community with his basketball programmes – that were just as impressive, his commitment to helping kids in their basketball journey.”
Boucher says that McFadden will leave behind a strong legacy in the Wellington region.
“He’ll be sorely missed in the Wellington region especially; any time you saw Kenny he was on the court, always coaching – whether it was 6am or 10pm at night.
“So the legacy he leaves behind is someone that dedicated himself to making others better, someone who invested a lot of time and heart into helping the basketball community.
“Our thoughts go out to everyone in the Saints whanau, as well as the NZ Basketball Academy whanau, during this time.”
GM of Leagues, Huw Beynon said McFadden’s passing was a huge loss for basketball in New Zealand.
“A gut punch to wake up to the news of Kenny McFadden’s passing. One of the greatest to ever lace them up in New Zealand, and a man whose smile would light up TSB Arena for his Saints team,” Beynon posted on Twitter.
“Saints games won’t be the same without the great Kenny Mac, who gave so much to our game.”
Sal’s NBL General Manager, Huw Beynon says the League will pay tribute to McFadden in the upcoming season.
“We’ve lost one of our greats. My heart goes out to everyone who knew Kenny, and everyone in Wellington Basketball,” says Beynon.
“His smile would light up the TSB Arena, and the work he’d done in the region had improved countless lives. The NBL community will miss his greatly, but his legend will always live on in Wellington Saints organisation, and the New Zealand National Basketball League.”
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