Indian Panthers

Indian basketball team in Auckland, New Zealand

Indian Panthers

League| NZNBL
Founded| October 2024
History| Indian Panthers
2025–
Arena| Pulman Arena
Location| Takanini, Auckland, New Zealand
Team colours| Black, white, orange

CEO| Parveen Batish
Head coach| Jonathan Goodman (interim)
Ownership| INBL Pro

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The Indian Panthers are a New Zealand-based Indian professional basketball team that compete in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). The Panthers are based in South Auckland and play their home games at Pulman Arena in Takanini, with Auckland being home to the largest percentage of migrants from India as of the 2023 census.[1]

## Team history

[edit]

In July 2024, it was revealed that the New Zealand NBL was looking at an expansion team from the Indian National Basketball League (INBL).[2][3][4] On 30 October 2024, it was announced that the Indian Panthers, owned by INBL Pro, would join the league in 2025,[5] with a roster primarily consisting of Indian national players.[6]

Due to delayed visa applications, the Panthers were unable to participate in the NBL's 2025 pre-season tournament.[7] Two days prior to their season opener, it was announced that due to an Indian national team camp, the Panthers would start the season with a mostly New Zealand player roster.[8][9][10][11] In their inaugural game on 12 March 2025, they lost 112–78 to the Hawke's Bay Hawks.[12] Following their first game, head coach Miles Pearce stepped down and was replaced by interim coach Jonathan Goodman.[13]

## Players

[edit]

### Current roster

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Indian Panthers roster

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name | Ht. |  |  |

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

G | 5 |  | Robinson, Alex (I) | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  |  |  |
G | 6 |  | Gerrand, Jaylen | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G | 7 |  | Singh, Tushal | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)  |  |  |
G | 8 |  | Laumatia, Ryan | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)  |  |  |
F | 10 |  | Matakatea, Dante | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
G | 11 |  | Lepou, Cooper | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)  |  |  |
F | 12 |  | Kelemete, Luke |  |  |  |
F | 13 |  | Mathew, Sejin | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)  |  |  |
F | 14 |  | Potts-Broughton, Emmerson | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)  |  |  |
F | 15 |  | Henry, Leon (C) | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)  |  |  |
F | 16 |  | Blessen, Aaron Verghese | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
G | 17 |  | Paea, Stephan |  |  |  |
F | 18 |  | Te Puni, Zack | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)  |  |  |
F/C |  |  | Bolstad, Patrich | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)  |  |  |
F |  |  | Boyce-Towler, Cooper | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)  |  |  |
G |  |  | Broughton, Salem |  |  |  |
F |  |  | Lenden, Vince |  |  |  |
F/C |  |  | Shengzhe Li | 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)  |  |  |
F |  |  | Manoj, Vaisakh | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
G |  |  | Mulvihill, Francis | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G/F |  |  | Negi, Riyanshu | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
G |  |  | Rathore, Jaideep | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G |  |  | Sandhu, Gurbaz | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
F |  |  | Singh Kahlon, Arvinder | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)  |  |  |
G |  |  | Singh, Lokendra | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
F/C |  |  | Singh, Princepal | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)  |  |  |
F |  |  | Sipeli, Jimi |  |  |  |

Head coach

*   * Jonathan Goodman (interim)

Assistant coach(es)

*   * Melanie Bennett
*   * Morgan Maskell

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (DP) Development player
* (IN) Inactive
* (I) Import player
* Injured

* * *

* Roster

Updated: 4 April 2025

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "It's official – Indian Panthers confirmed to join New Zealand basketball leagues in 2025". Stuff.co.nz. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
2. ^ "BREAKING NEW GROUND: INDIAN NBL SEEKS ENTRY INTO NBL AND TAUIHI LEAGUES". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
3. ^ Egan, Brendon (19 July 2024). "NBL, Tauihi basketball leagues set to feature Indian backed teams from 2025". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
4. ^ "Indian-backed teams to join NZ basketball leagues in 2025". 1news.co.nz. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
5. ^ "Indian Panthers Join NBL & Tauihi – Kiwi Basketball Set To Soar In India". nznbl.basketball. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024.
6. ^ "The Indian Panthers are taking shape ahead of their entry into the New Zealand men's basketball league". NZCity. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
7. ^ "Indian Panthers to Join Sal's NBL on March 12 After Visa Setback". nznbl.basketball. 28 February 2025. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025.
8. ^ "Panthers Expand Kiwi Connection Due To Indian National Team Camp". nznbl.basketball. 10 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025.
9. ^ "New Indian National Basketball League team to debut with ... Kiwi players". Stuff.co.nz. 11 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
10. ^ "Panthers a mystery ahead of NBL debut". NZ Sports Wire. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
11. ^ "Straight Shot: Indian Panthers Season Preview". nznbl.basketball. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
12. ^ "Teen stars as Hawks tip-off NBL with win". NZ Sports Wire. 12 March 2025. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
13. ^ Tom, Blessen (25 March 2025). "Home losses, coach's departure sour start to Indian Panthers' debut season". RNZ. Retrieved 27 March 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Indian Panthers to bring 'flavour of India to New Zealand basketball' | RNZ on YouTube

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* t
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National Basketball League (New Zealand)

Current teams|

* Auckland Tuatara
* Canterbury Rams
* Franklin Bulls
* Hawke's Bay Hawks
* Indian Panthers
* Manawatu Jets
* Nelson Giants
* Otago Nuggets
* Southland Sharks
* Taranaki Airs
* Tauranga Whai
* Wellington Saints

Former teams|

* Auckland Pirates
* Auckland Stars
* Centrals
* Christchurch Cougars
* Harbour Heat
* Hutt Valley Lakers
* Northland Suns
* Ponsonby
* Porirua
* Super City Rangers
* Waikato Pistons
* Waitemata Dolphins

Associated|

* Conference Basketball League

Other|

* Awards
* Champions
* Players
* Current rosters

Related|

* Australian National Basketball League
* New Zealand men's national basketball team
* Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

*[Pos.]: Position(s)
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[Nat.]: Nationality
*[Ht.]: Height
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