Tai Wynyard is an up and coming player, standing at 2 meters and only 16 years of age. Of Māori descent he hails from Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Maniapoto.
He is following in his father's footsteps, Jason Wynyard, woodchopping champion. He's a player hoping to make it all the way in the world of basketball.
Tai Wynyard, was the recipient of the Māori Sports Player of 2014 and this young Māori athlete is relishing every opportunity he can get.
At only 16, he's a Tall Black member and a player in the NZ Breakers development squad.
Tai says, “when I went on tour with them being able to play with all those players like Kirk Penny. He's my idol so it's amazing to play with your idol.”
His New Year's resolution is to earn a basketball scholarship at one of America's finest colleges. An aspiration he's hoping to achieve after travelling to China this year.
“When I went to China, you could see on the streets there, how different it is there and people don't actually have a chance to live.”
His challenge right now is to learn as much as he can from the superstars of the Breakers who are currently sitting in first position on the ANBL ladder.
“Getting the experience to play with all these players like Mika Vukona...a top old...he's not old but a veteran.”
2014 is over for Wynyard but the question is, what's in store for him in the future.