Are these the Southland Sharks' top 10 players of all-time?

Narrowing 100 Southland Sharks players down to 10. Not the easiest of tasks.

The Southland Sharks family of players since its inception into New Zealand’s National basketball League has reached 100 through its 13 years.

Logan Savory takes a stab at picking out the top 10 players from the Sharks days to date.

Jarrad Weeks (2018 & 2019)

The Australian joined the Southland Sharks in 2018 and played a key role in the Sharks’ march towards an NBL title that season. As a result, he was named in the All-Star Five.

During that season he posted 12 assists in a game against Canterbury, which alongside Kevin Braswell is a record for the Sharks. Braswell posted 12 assists in three different games during his Southland playing days.

Dom Kelman-Poto (2019-2022)

Kelman-Poto made a home in Southland for three seasons and developed into a fan favourite. He racked up 48 games in orange and contributed 744 points through that time.

In 2021 Kelman-Poto was named in the All-Star Five.

Rueben Te Rangi (2013-2014 & 2017 & 2018)

Te Rangi arrived in Southland as a teenage talent in 2013 and he showcased his ability on the way to helping the Sharks to its first NBL title that year.

Through 68 games for the Sharks, Te Rangi amassed 872 points in orange.

Alex Pledger (2016-2021)

Pledger - or Chief to his teammates - racked up 77 games for the Sharks and a whole heap of rebounds during his tenure in Invercargill. He is the Sharks leading all-time rebounder with 671 rebounds from 2016 through to 2021. Twenty of them come in one game against Canterbury in 2016, which also remains a Sharks record.

In 2016 he was named in the NBL’s All-Star Five. His 1040 points is the second most scored by any Sharks player.

Rene Rougeau (2010)

Rougeau was a foundation Sharks player with the American important playing 19 games in Southland’s first-ever season in the New Zealand NBL in 2010.

Despite the Sharks missing the playoffs Rougeau was named the NZNBL All-Star Five in 2010. Rougeau has gone on to play all around the world including Mexico, Israel, and Finland.

Todd Blanchfield (2015 & 2019)

The Australian was a significant player during his 39 games for the Sharks in the 2015 and 2019 seasons.

With 421 points in 2015, Blanchfield still holds the record for the most points for the Sharks in the season. Blanchfield was named in the NZNBL All-Star Five that year but most importantly helped the Sharks to a title.

Tai Wesley (2014 & 2015)

Welsey’s recruitment in 2015 was a masterstroke by then-coach Paul Henare. The former Utah State College player signed with the Sharks in 2014 but was not deemed an import given he had connections to Fiji and was a Guam international. Under FIBA rules Pacific Islands were not deemed as an import, despite being import quality.

In 2015 Wesley was named the most outstanding forward in the NBL and was included in the All-Star Five that year as he played a lead role in lifting the Sharks to a title.

His 35 blocks in 2015 remains a Sharks record.

Brian Conklin (2013 & 2014)

The American played a lead role in lifting the Southland Sharks to its first National Basketball League title in 2013.

He joined the Sharks in 2013 in what was his first professional contract after a college career. Conklin made an immediate impression being named the NBL’s most outstanding forward that season and included in the All-Star Five.

He returned in 2014 for a second season with Southland and despite carrying hamstring and ankle injuries he averaged 20.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Nick Kay (2016 & 2017)

The Australian was one of the Sharks’ better pickups through its 13-year history. He joined the Sharks in 2016 and returned for the 2017 season.

His all-round game was a real asset and his tireless effort was just as important.

Kay has gone on two win two Australian NBL titles and claimed bronze at the Olympics as part of the Australia team. He now plays in Japan.

Kevin Braswell (2011-2015)

Braswell is the sole Southland Sharks player to have his playing number (12) retired after he finished playing. That says it all.

Through 78 games for the Sharks he scored 1512 points, the most of any player. In his 50th game for Southland in 2014 Braswell posted 45 points, which remains a record.

The American import helped Southland to two NBL titles in 2013 and 2015. He is now coaching in Japan.