Remembering KB: The Baltimore boy who became a Southlander
“I don’t think you can underestimate what Kevin did for the Sharks in our early years."
Southland Sharks legend Kevin Braswell died this week after undergoing emergency heart surgery last month. Logan Savory talked with Jill Bolger - who worked with Braswell with both the Sharks and Southland Basketball Association - to reflect on his legacy.
Jill Bolger remembers the moment in 2011 well.
Then Southland Sharks coach Richard Dickel came to her in her role as Sharks general manager with an idea. He wanted to replace an import and sign American Kevin Braswell.
At the time Braswell was a star in the Australian National Basketball League with the New Zealand Breakers, while the Sharks were in just their second year of existence in the New Zealand league.
Bolger wondered how they would be able to pull off such a big signing.
But they did.
“[Kevin Braswell’s signing] signalled we were now a legitimate NBL participate, because we were attracting some very good players, and he was the start of that. It was massive getting him.”
Braswell played just six games for Southland in 2011 before tearing his Achilles.
In the fickle world of team-hoping professional basketball players, it might have been notched up as a ‘what could have been’ tale and this story would have ended here.
But it wasn’t the end of the story. It was just the start of it.
Braswell went on to play a further four seasons for the Sharks playing 78 games in total.
He led the Sharks to two national titles, in 2013 and 2015, and to this day remains Southland’s all-time leading point-scorer with 1521 points.
“He wasn’t a one-hit wonder; he become a Southlander and loved it here. He lived here and was part of our community.
“There aren’t many players around the league that are that loyal, to be honest.
“Some of your local lads are, but to have that from a person from Baltimore in the United States,” Bolger said.
“His grit and determination and loyalty are what would stick out for me… He was a team guy, he was getting older, but he was a mentor for young kids and took people under his wing.”
Close to a decade on from his last game in orange the impact Braswell had on the Sharks can still be viewed today, not just in the record books.
His retired No 12 singlet still hangs in the Shark Tank at ILT Stadium Southland. On Tuesday, that singlet was hung at half-mast in his honour.
Bolger doesn’t hesitate when describing the impact Braswell had on a new Invercargill-based professional sports organisation trying to find its feet.
When news of Braswell’s death filtered through Bolger gathered the 2025 Sharks squad early on Tuesday to ensure they too were aware of what Braswell meant to the organisation.
The majority hadn’t played with or against Braswell - or even knew him for that matter.
But that didn’t matter, Bolger said.
“The younger ones coming in need to understand what we are about, and Kevin was a massive part of that.
“Having that discussion about his legacy and what they can leave as a legacy as well, I think was really important.”
When the Sharks decided to honour Braswell at the end of his playing days by retiring his singlet number and hanging it at Stadium Southland, Bolger said it prompted questions from different people around the NBL.
Some felt after just five seasons in the New Zealand league, that was too quick to be dishing out that sort of honour to Braswell.
As Bolger now reflects, following Braswell’s death, she is even more certain they got that call right at the time.
“I don’t think you can underestimate what Kevin did for the Sharks in our early years,” Bolger said.
While it’s Braswell’s wizardry on the court scoring baskets at will his impact on the Southland basketball community was much wider than his accurate three-point shot.
On top of his playing duties with the Sharks, Braswell also held a development officer role with the Southland Basketball Association.
“He worked with a lot of kids - boys and girls. He had academies running at six in the morning, which started a bit of a trend. I think SBA is still doing that.
“Put aside the fact he was an extremely talented player; he inspired such a lot of young people down here.”
When Braswell retired from playing at the end of 2015 it was largely tipped he would make a quick transition into the head coaching job at the Sharks replacing his good mate Paul Henare.
Although the Wellington Saints swooped signing Braswell as their coach where he won back-to-back titles.
Bolger acknowledged there were times when the pair did not agree - as happens with many employers and employees, Bolger added.
In amongst a lot of tears on Tuesday, Bolger said there have been moments when she has shared a laugh when reflecting on some of those times.
“Kevin and I had our battles. He won a few and I won a few, we just had that mutual love and respect for each other, which you want.
“You can fire some shots at each other and come to a good decision and have a hug. That’s the type of relationship we had.”
Braswell most recently coached in Japan, where he underwent emergency heart surgery last month.
He remained hospitalised in Utsunomiya until his death this week which was announced by his current club Utsunomiya Brex.
“We would like to express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to Mr. Braswell for his dedication to the development of the club and his contribution to the growth of the team over the course of two seasons,” the club said in a statement.
“We will miss him and express our deepest condolences for his passion and dedication.”
Braswell, who was born in Baltimore and attended Georgetown University, arrived at the Breakers in 2010 after professional stints in Israel, France, Turkey, Greece and an NBA Summer League season with the Toronto Raptors before a brief preseason contract with the Miami Heat.
He helped the Breakers to a maiden NBL title in the 2011 season when he was named NBL Sixth Man of the year.