Reuben Te Rangi Hits 350 NBL Games Milestone with Tasmania JackJumpers

Reuben Te Rangi, the versatile forward for the Tasmania JackJumpers, is set to play his 350th NBL game on Tuesday night against the Illawarra Hawks. The 30-year-old New Zealander, who joined the JackJumpers this season, has become a cornerstone of the team’s culture and performance.

Te Rangi began his NBL career as a development player with the New Zealand Breakers in the 2012-13 season. By the 2014-15 season, he had earned a full contract and played a key role in the Breakers’ championship victory. “My favourite moment of my career was signing my first NBL contract and walking into the locker room,” Te Rangi said. “I was surrounded by players I idolised – C.J. Bruton, Mika Vukona, Cedric Jackson and others. Being in the same room as them was surreal and inspiring.”

Since then, Te Rangi has played for the Brisbane Bullets, South East Melbourne Phoenix, and the Auckland Tuatara in the New Zealand NBL. His best season came in 2018-19 with the Bullets, where he was named the league’s best sixth man and most improved player. This season, he joined the JackJumpers on a one-year deal as a replacement for Jack McVeigh and has quickly made an impact.

JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth praised Te Rangi’s professionalism and leadership. “Reuben is a veteran leader who has fed perfectly into our culture,” Roth said. “He’s been a great teammate, a constant professional, and an outstanding presence in our community. Reaching 350 games speaks volumes about his skill and the longevity of his career.”

Te Rangi has also embraced his role as a new father, with Roth describing him as a “wonderful role model in every sense.” This season, he has averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game, contributing significantly to the JackJumpers’ campaign.

The milestone game comes as the JackJumpers face the Illawarra Hawks, who are looking to bounce back from consecutive losses. Hawks coach Justin Tatum emphasized the need for his team to regain their focus. “Players have been saying, ‘Let’s stop mucking around, let’s do this, let’s get on top of this and find ways to get better on the court,'” Tatum said.

Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30pm AEDT, with live coverage on ESPN.