Kalani Purcell had a standout year in 2015 beginning by playing for Brigham Young University in the USA in the West Coast Conference (WCC). Her performances resulted with her being awarded the Newcomer of the Year Award and then again honoured by being named in the All-WCC Women’s first team. The U.S. accolades kept coming when she was named in the NJCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball First Team All-America, and as a result became the most decorated player in Blue Dragon Women’s basketball history. During the College season she set a single-season record for points scored (684), total field goals (275), total rebounds (443), rebounding average (12) and double-doubles (27). Kalani was awarded Most Valuable Player for both the Jayhawk West Conference and the Region VI Tournament. She also played for the Tall Ferns in the 2015 FIBA Oceania Olympic Qualifier tournament against Australia and later in a series against Japan.
Accepting the award on Kalani’s behalf is Tall Blacks Head Coach, Paul Henare.
