Vukona comes back to Giants

MIKA VUKONA

Mike Pero Nelson Giants (NBL) inked experienced 35-year old New Zealander international center Mika Vukona (197-93kg-82). It is actually his comeback to Giants as he has played here before. Vukona has a double citizenship as he also holds Fijian passport. Vukona played recently at played at Breakers in Australian NBL league. In 30 games he recorded 6.2ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.7apg this season. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. The last season Vukona played also at New Zealand Breakers where in 27 NBL games he averaged 6.5ppg, 5.1rpg and 2.2apg.
Among other achievements Vukona played in the final of Australian NBL in 2016. He received also Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL Honorable Mention award back in 2011 and 2014.
Vukona has been also a member of New Zealand international program for some years. He has regularly played for New Zealand senior team since 2005 and previously for U21 National Team in 2001.
Vukona represented New Zealand at the FIBA Oceania Championships three years ago.
He is a very experienced player. Vukona has quite traveled the world as his pro career brought him to four different continents (Europe, Asia, Australia and of course North America). Vukona has played previously professionally also in Italy (Virtus Roma), Lebanon (Byblos), New Zealand (Rangers) and Australia (S.Dragons and Gold Coast Blaze).
He is close to retirement age as a player. It may be one of last seasons in his extensive career, which he may end at Giants.
Vukona's game is described as: One of the most surprising players in Australian league. Brings a lot of energy on the court, and plays everytime hard and physical. Game after game, he felt his confidence growing and now is a true big league forward. Needs to expand the range of his outside shooting, however, because most of his field goals come from lay-ups, and to improve his 32 per cent free-throw percentage.

By Eurobasket Data Center



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