March 14, 2025 • 10 mins
Kiwi basketballer Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones has made history.
He became the first New Zealander to win Big West Player of the Year in NCAA division one basketball.
He joined Piney to discuss this achievement and his aspirations to lead his US San Diego team to March Madness.
“I couldn’t ask for a better year, and we’re not done yet.”
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
New Zealand Only one new Tate Jones is enjoying perhaps
the best season ever by a KIWI in US college
basketball history.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Igris, that's going to be short and punched out of
there by Tate Jones. Here's flight twelve crowing down coming
out of that time out. Fifteen point leader ten oh
run the last sixty second when he saw that.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
He had nothing but the floor in front of him. Man,
he had a big old smile on his face, didn't he? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Twenty eight for Tate Jones coming from down under the
throw gain.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yea And when he were Tate Jones playing for UC
San Diego, he started all thirty two games and led
the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists to lead a
side to their first Big West regular season championship with
a twenty eight win four loss rec This in their
first year as a fully fledged Division I program. He's
(01:11):
now scored over one thousand career points in NCAA Division One.
Was named Big West Newcomer of the Year in twenty
twenty three, twenty four and the overall Big West Player
of the Year for twenty twenty four, twenty five, honey,
when he was only when he was Tate Jones is
with us, Neila, thanks for taking the time for a chat.
What a time for you. Let's start with your team
(01:34):
being Big West regular season champions. How big a deal is.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
This, sir? Now, thank you for having me on, bro.
I appreciate you taking the time. Yeah, like you said, man,
this season has been amazing. To be Big West champions
for the first time in school history is amazing, and
I think to win it as in New Zealand is
also special as well. So yeah, this season's been amazing, man.
(01:59):
I couldn't ask for a better year. And we're not
done yet, so I just keep running the waves.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I want to talk about what's ahead for you in
the next a while. But as far as winning the
Big West Player of the Year award, I know it's
a team game, but as an individual accolade, how big
a thrill was that for you?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
It's been awesome man, to win an award like that.
I mean, like you said, I wouldn't have got there
without my teammates. But no, I've put in. I worked
I worked hard for this, man. I worked my whole
life for this, So I'm grateful now that I'm getting
getting the fruits of all my work. And yeah, it's amazing. Man,
couldn't have scripted it any better.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
All right, Well, as you say, you're not done yet.
Next up is March Madness. Now, a lot of people
back here know about that, a single elimination tournament to
find the men's college basketball national champion. One of the
biggest annual sporting events in the United States. So what
do you have to do to make it to March
Madness for starters?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Right, So, I'm in Vegas right now. We're playing our
conference tournament. So if we win our conference tournament, we
get an automatic bid, so we come in as the
one seed, so we get a buyer straight to the semifinal.
So yeah, we play in our semi final game tomorrow
and if we win that, we go to the championship game.
(03:16):
And if we win the championship game, we get an
automatic bid to March Madness. But we've also had a
really good year, like you said, with twenty eight and four,
so it's looking like when or last in our tournament,
we should still have a shot at getting to March Madness.
It just depends on. They have a thing called Selection Sunday,
where like the NC DOWA committee vote on who they
(03:37):
think should go to the tournament. So hopefully we'll get
some votes for an at large bid. But yeah, if
we win this tournament in Vegas, then we'll be playing.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
There outstanding on As I said, it's become this massive event.
How big a deal would it be for U see
San Diego to go to March Madness.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
It would be a huge, man, I mean even winning
the big Wist Championship that was amazing, Like we saw,
you know, heaps and new articles. We're on the news,
San Diego News, National News, they had us in the
New York Times, and it would be the first time
for the school to go to March Manis. So now
(04:17):
if we were to do that in our first year algyble,
it would be insane.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Well, can't wait to see how you go on your
quest for that. Take us back here. Tell us about
your basketball journey. Where'd it begin and how has it
taken you stateside?
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Oh? Yes, so I started playing in Wellington with the
late Kenny McFadden. He's been my coach up until he
sadly passed away. So yeah, all credit to him. He
got me. He trained me every day for six years
in the morning morning trainings up at ASB and Wellington.
And yeah, because of him, I was fortunate enough to
(04:53):
get a scholarship at Hawaii Heilo, which was a Division
two school. And then yeah, I did three years there
and then I transferred. I moved schools to where I'm
at now. You see San Diego, which is Division one.
And yeah, I mean all credit to Kenny Mack. I
wouldn't be here without him. So yeah, man, he's I
(05:15):
wouldn't be here without him for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, he's He's influenced plenty of people you included, and
is fondly remembered not only in Wellington but in New
Zealand basketball circles as well. So the standard you're playing
at it in you know, in the Big West. Can
you can you give us some sort of comparison or
maybe just just outline for us what the standard is
like the games of basketball you're playing in.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
I mean, it's a it's a real high level, man,
It's it's one of the top level in American collegiate basketball.
We have NBA guys who are projected to get drafted
in our league, we play against guys who are going
to get drafted and go to the NBA. I've played it.
Last year, I played against NBA guys. So it's the
(05:58):
best of the best.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Man outstanding And as far as your success is concerned,
as I said at the top of the chat, you
led the team and score, rebounding and assists. So an
all round game obviously is what you provide for your team.
What are your your particular strengths, all the things that
you like to be known for.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
You know, I think I get down here a lot,
I get to the rim, I draw a lot of fouls,
and I just play hard.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
I'm fortunate enough to have coaches who believe in me
and believe in what I can do, and they give
me the ball. So yeah, I get downhill a lot.
I create for my teammates, redound the ball, and like
you said, I do a lot of things on the court.
And yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I saw a stat that you're one of the leading
free throw Well you've been to the free throw line
probably more than most other people, so that that talks about,
you know, getting into heavy traffic fairly often. You've got
no worries about doing that.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Yeah, yeah, I lead the country and free froze made
and attempted. So yeah, I think I credit that to
my rugby background. You know, I played rugby growing up,
so you know, I'm not afraid of the contact. I
like to get physicals.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
So you how many more years then do you have?
At U see San Diego?
Speaker 4 (07:12):
So this is my last year. I'm in my last
year at school here, and yeah, I'm not really sure
what's going to come afterwards. I'm just kind of running
the wave at the moment. We're having an awesome year.
We're not done yet. And then after the season, I'm
just going to see what happens. Man, And you know,
whatever happens will happen. God's got his plan for me.
(07:34):
So yeah, I'm just enjoying every moment of it.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Are what are some of the things that could happen?
I mean we talk like as the NBA a goal
of yours.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Yeah, for sure, I think definitely after the year that
we've had, I've been talking to a few NBA teams,
NBA agents, so yeah, I'm going to test the waters
for sure and just see what happens.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
You'd have to think though, that if you go to
March Madness, which, by the sounds of things you've got
a great chance of doing, there will be a lot
of eyes on you. Is that the case that playing
in March Madness might put you on the radar of
of even more teams?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Percent? I think because we're kind of a new school,
so they're not used to having this type of success,
So a lot of people don't really know about us.
So I think if if we're able to go and
play on such a huge stage, I mean, the whole
of America will be watching. So yeah, if we can
get and play on this stage, I mean, everyone's going
to see it.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And you're just one of a number of young men
and women from New Zealand who are doing really cool
things in the game of basketball. I'm sure you keep
an eye on what's happening back here. We had seventeen
year old Jackson Ball drop forty in in a National
Basketball League game the other day, you know, and it's
just one example. You know, do you feel as though
it's a sport that that is a really good heart
(08:50):
as far as the best New Zealanders playing it are concerned?
Speaker 4 (08:55):
One hundred percent? Yeah, I think you know, Like you mentioned,
we've got a lot of good young guys coming up.
I know they did really well. I was watching the
games at the Under seventeen World Cup where they think
I came third, right, yep, well they placed really well.
So now we got some we got some dogs coming up,
and I'm glad I in a way I get to
(09:16):
sit the standards for them, and you know, hopefully they
can follow.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
You certainly do mate. Well it's a it's an exciting
time for you. A great season so far, and as
you say, Neila, more to come, all the best in
your quest to get to March Madness. Mate. You would
have remembered watching March Madness when you were back here,
wouldn't you.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Oh no, I used to watch it as a kid.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Man.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I think everyone, everyone who enjoys basketball would have watched
March Madness. So now hopefully I can get on there
and you know, put on the show.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I hope you can make it. We'll be cheering for
you back here, Neil. Thanks so much for taking the
time for a chat today.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
No, I appreciate you having me on, brother, appreciate it
so much. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
No, thank you. An Tate Jones there out of UC
San Diego hit it we hope for March Madness.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
New Zealand Only one new Tate Jones is enjoying perhaps
the best season ever by a KIWI in US college
basketball history.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Igris, that's going to be short and punched out of
there by Tate Jones. Here's flight twelve crowing down coming
out of that time out. Fifteen point leader ten oh
run the last sixty second when he saw that.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
He had nothing but the floor in front of him. Man,
he had a big old smile on his face, didn't he? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Twenty eight for Tate Jones coming from down under the
throw gain.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yea And when he were Tate Jones playing for UC
San Diego, he started all thirty two games and led
the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists to lead a
side to their first Big West regular season championship with
a twenty eight win four loss rec This in their
first year as a fully fledged Division I program. He's
(01:11):
now scored over one thousand career points in NCAA Division One.
Was named Big West Newcomer of the Year in twenty
twenty three, twenty four and the overall Big West Player
of the Year for twenty twenty four, twenty five, honey,
when he was only when he was Tate Jones is
with us, Neila, thanks for taking the time for a chat.
What a time for you. Let's start with your team
(01:34):
being Big West regular season champions. How big a deal is.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
This, sir? Now, thank you for having me on, bro.
I appreciate you taking the time. Yeah, like you said, man,
this season has been amazing. To be Big West champions
for the first time in school history is amazing, and
I think to win it as in New Zealand is
also special as well. So yeah, this season's been amazing, man.
(01:59):
I couldn't ask for a better year. And we're not
done yet, so I just keep running the waves.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
I want to talk about what's ahead for you in
the next a while. But as far as winning the
Big West Player of the Year award, I know it's
a team game, but as an individual accolade, how big
a thrill was that for you?
Speaker 4 (02:17):
It's been awesome man, to win an award like that.
I mean, like you said, I wouldn't have got there
without my teammates. But no, I've put in. I worked
I worked hard for this, man. I worked my whole
life for this, So I'm grateful now that I'm getting
getting the fruits of all my work. And yeah, it's amazing. Man,
couldn't have scripted it any better.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
All right, Well, as you say, you're not done yet.
Next up is March Madness. Now, a lot of people
back here know about that, a single elimination tournament to
find the men's college basketball national champion. One of the
biggest annual sporting events in the United States. So what
do you have to do to make it to March
Madness for starters?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Right, So, I'm in Vegas right now. We're playing our
conference tournament. So if we win our conference tournament, we
get an automatic bid, so we come in as the
one seed, so we get a buyer straight to the semifinal.
So yeah, we play in our semi final game tomorrow
and if we win that, we go to the championship game.
(03:16):
And if we win the championship game, we get an
automatic bid to March Madness. But we've also had a
really good year, like you said, with twenty eight and four,
so it's looking like when or last in our tournament,
we should still have a shot at getting to March Madness.
It just depends on. They have a thing called Selection Sunday,
where like the NC DOWA committee vote on who they
(03:37):
think should go to the tournament. So hopefully we'll get
some votes for an at large bid. But yeah, if
we win this tournament in Vegas, then we'll be playing.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
There outstanding on As I said, it's become this massive event.
How big a deal would it be for U see
San Diego to go to March Madness.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
It would be a huge, man, I mean even winning
the big Wist Championship that was amazing, Like we saw,
you know, heaps and new articles. We're on the news,
San Diego News, National News, they had us in the
New York Times, and it would be the first time
for the school to go to March Manis. So now
(04:17):
if we were to do that in our first year algyble,
it would be insane.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Well, can't wait to see how you go on your
quest for that. Take us back here. Tell us about
your basketball journey. Where'd it begin and how has it
taken you stateside?
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Oh? Yes, so I started playing in Wellington with the
late Kenny McFadden. He's been my coach up until he
sadly passed away. So yeah, all credit to him. He
got me. He trained me every day for six years
in the morning morning trainings up at ASB and Wellington.
And yeah, because of him, I was fortunate enough to
(04:53):
get a scholarship at Hawaii Heilo, which was a Division
two school. And then yeah, I did three years there
and then I transferred. I moved schools to where I'm
at now. You see San Diego, which is Division one.
And yeah, I mean all credit to Kenny Mack. I
wouldn't be here without him. So yeah, man, he's I
(05:15):
wouldn't be here without him for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, he's He's influenced plenty of people you included, and
is fondly remembered not only in Wellington but in New
Zealand basketball circles as well. So the standard you're playing
at it in you know, in the Big West. Can
you can you give us some sort of comparison or
maybe just just outline for us what the standard is
like the games of basketball you're playing in.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
I mean, it's a it's a real high level, man,
It's it's one of the top level in American collegiate basketball.
We have NBA guys who are projected to get drafted
in our league, we play against guys who are going
to get drafted and go to the NBA. I've played it.
Last year, I played against NBA guys. So it's the
(05:58):
best of the best.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Man outstanding And as far as your success is concerned,
as I said at the top of the chat, you
led the team and score, rebounding and assists. So an
all round game obviously is what you provide for your team.
What are your your particular strengths, all the things that
you like to be known for.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
You know, I think I get down here a lot,
I get to the rim, I draw a lot of fouls,
and I just play hard.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
I'm fortunate enough to have coaches who believe in me
and believe in what I can do, and they give
me the ball. So yeah, I get downhill a lot.
I create for my teammates, redound the ball, and like
you said, I do a lot of things on the court.
And yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
I saw a stat that you're one of the leading
free throw Well you've been to the free throw line
probably more than most other people, so that that talks about,
you know, getting into heavy traffic fairly often. You've got
no worries about doing that.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Yeah, yeah, I lead the country and free froze made
and attempted. So yeah, I think I credit that to
my rugby background. You know, I played rugby growing up,
so you know, I'm not afraid of the contact. I
like to get physicals.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
So you how many more years then do you have?
At U see San Diego?
Speaker 4 (07:12):
So this is my last year. I'm in my last
year at school here, and yeah, I'm not really sure
what's going to come afterwards. I'm just kind of running
the wave at the moment. We're having an awesome year.
We're not done yet. And then after the season, I'm
just going to see what happens. Man, And you know,
whatever happens will happen. God's got his plan for me.
(07:34):
So yeah, I'm just enjoying every moment of it.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Are what are some of the things that could happen?
I mean we talk like as the NBA a goal
of yours.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Yeah, for sure, I think definitely after the year that
we've had, I've been talking to a few NBA teams,
NBA agents, so yeah, I'm going to test the waters
for sure and just see what happens.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
You'd have to think though, that if you go to
March Madness, which, by the sounds of things you've got
a great chance of doing, there will be a lot
of eyes on you. Is that the case that playing
in March Madness might put you on the radar of
of even more teams?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Percent? I think because we're kind of a new school,
so they're not used to having this type of success,
So a lot of people don't really know about us.
So I think if if we're able to go and
play on such a huge stage, I mean, the whole
of America will be watching. So yeah, if we can
get and play on this stage, I mean, everyone's going
to see it.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And you're just one of a number of young men
and women from New Zealand who are doing really cool
things in the game of basketball. I'm sure you keep
an eye on what's happening back here. We had seventeen
year old Jackson Ball drop forty in in a National
Basketball League game the other day, you know, and it's
just one example. You know, do you feel as though
it's a sport that that is a really good heart
(08:50):
as far as the best New Zealanders playing it are concerned?
Speaker 4 (08:55):
One hundred percent? Yeah, I think you know, Like you mentioned,
we've got a lot of good young guys coming up.
I know they did really well. I was watching the
games at the Under seventeen World Cup where they think
I came third, right, yep, well they placed really well.
So now we got some we got some dogs coming up,
and I'm glad I in a way I get to
(09:16):
sit the standards for them, and you know, hopefully they
can follow.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
You certainly do mate. Well it's a it's an exciting
time for you. A great season so far, and as
you say, Neila, more to come, all the best in
your quest to get to March Madness. Mate. You would
have remembered watching March Madness when you were back here,
wouldn't you.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Oh no, I used to watch it as a kid.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Man.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I think everyone, everyone who enjoys basketball would have watched
March Madness. So now hopefully I can get on there
and you know, put on the show.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I hope you can make it. We'll be cheering for
you back here, Neil. Thanks so much for taking the
time for a chat today.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
No, I appreciate you having me on, brother, appreciate it
so much. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
No, thank you. An Tate Jones there out of UC
San Diego hit it we hope for March Madness.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.