Tai Wynyard set to play for the Shanghai Juss in the CBA 3×3 Basketball Super league.

Playing his first session with the Canterbury Rams, Tai Wynyard’s promising career moving leaps and bounds with the hoop’s world seemingly at his feet as he signs off to play for the Shanghai Juss in the Chinese Basketball Association 3×3 Basketball Super league.

Wynyard, aged 25 standing at six-foot nine journey into the professional basketball circuit has not come without a hard work and dedication to the sport. Wynyard made his Tall Black debut in 2014 as the youngest player at the age of 16, playing against South Korea in Wellington, leading on to more recently in April, 2023 where Wynyard helped New Zealand win bronze at the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup and earned all-tournament team honours.

Wynyard will play for the Shanghai Juss, a professional basketball club based in Shanghai, China. Founded in 1996 and founded by global basketball ambassador Yao Ming.

Rams Head Coach Judd Flavell on Tai’s signing in the CBA 3×3 Super League, “It has been so cool having Tai and his family to Christchurch and join the Rams family. They have been a huge piece of the club this year and although they won’t be here for the remainder of the season, they are still every part of the Rams.

When I first spoke to Tai about coming down to Christchurch, I said we will do our best to ensure he has everything available and accessible to him to grow as an athlete and person to open bigger opportunities ahead. To see this come into reality right now is fantastic and this opportunity For Tai and his family is amazing one financially and something that potentially is life changing.

These opportunities don’t come around every day and certainly don’t come along without true dedication and discipline of working on your craft, but that’s exactly what Tai has done. Tai was on track when he arrived in Christchurch for pre-season, but since arriving he has made huge strides with his health, fitness and play on court with the support of our medical staff and resources.

In my opinion, he is maybe in the best shape of his career and playing his best basketball. We are seeing Tai performing at a very high level and doing things on court that he hadn’t really been know for, such as his full court defensive pressure and activity, his offensive skill set of playing from the perimeter as a facilitator and shooting the 3!

As a coach winning championships are great, but these stories and moments are truly inspiring and rewarding.”

The Canterbury Rams family are all so proud of Tai’s achievement and we can’t wait to see him on the big screen cheering him on in the CBA 3×3 Basketball Super League.

Wynyard will play his last game for the Rams on the 14th May against the Giants and will leave for Shanghai on the 15th of May.

“We are really excited about this opportunity for Tai & his family and very committed to our Rams partners on finding a suitable replacement for Tai to allow the Rams to have the best opportunity to win the 2023 Sals NBL Championship. The staff is working overtime to find a player that will fit the current roster of the Rams and allow for the best opportunity for our playing group to be successful. We wish Tai and his family the very best with this opportunity playing in the top 3×3 league in China. Tai is a trail blazer in the 3×3 game for our nation being the first full time professional international 3×3 player, this will make a powerful impact on the 3×3 game for our country as we pursue qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are looking forward to supporting Tai’s continued career and looking forward to having him back as a Ram at the next opportunity”, stated Caleb Harrison, Rams General Manager.

The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams face Southland Sharks in the Sals NBL this Friday, 7pm @ Cowles Stadium. Tickets available at Ticketek.