This award is presented to any person who has achieved “legend” status in basketball and whose service to basketball is worthy of the highest honour. Colin Agnew was a notable player and coach, who graced the playing courts of New Zealand in the post war-years playing for Hamilton from 1948 to 1963. He won two National Championship medals and the Keith Carr trophy for the outstanding guard three times at the National Champs.
Agnew debuted for the National team in 1955 – the first Tall Blacks team to embark on an overseas tour. He made 29 appearances for the Tall Blacks between 1955 and 1963, captaining the team in 20 of those games. The 1962 team ventured further afield. The 6-week tour involved 19 games with first ever test matches played against Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Philippines.
Following his retirement from playing, he spent time at San Jose University to increase his coaching knowledge. With that experience to call upon he was appointed Tall Blacks coach and served in that position from 1965 to 1969. He continued coaching Hamilton rep teams and Melville High School teams throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s.
From 1964 to 1970 he was the National Coach and in that period took three teams to the Australian State Championships. There were also home games against San Jose State, Oregon State and Venture for Victory. In addition he was actively involved in the formation of the Waikato Basketball Association in the 1950’s, serving two terms as President of the association.
