Former Rosmini College student Taine Murray was this week named in the Tall Blacks squad for next month’s World Cup Asian Qualifier.

The point guard’s journey from school sports to national selection has seen him shine for North Harbour, be signed as a development player with the New Zealand Breakers and, most recently, head to the United States on a university scholarship. Taine was awarded the 2019 AIMES Sports Scholarship and was a 2020 AIMES Emerging Talent Award winner. He answered some questions for the North Harbour Club during a homecoming visit to the Shore in late May.

Where are you now based and when did you make the move to the USA?

Currently I am living on the East Coast of America at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I made the move to the United States in May 2021.

What do you most miss about home?

There are many things that I miss about living outside of New Zealand, but for me I would say that I miss my family the most, especially with them being unable to travel this past year to see me due to border restrictions and the pandemic.

How did winning an AIMES Award help you on your journey?

I feel extremely grateful to have won the AIMES Award, it helped me immensely as it relieved some financial pressure off my family to help towards my development within basketball as well as providing a support network of inspiring people who have had some incredible achievements.

What are your goals for 2022?

My goals for 2022 are to have an increased role on the University of Virginia Men's Basketball Team and New Zealand National Basketball Team (Tall Blacks), whilst continuing to complete prerequisite courses in order to apply for the The McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

How is uni life going in the States?

University life is going great, I am enjoying the challenge of juggling my basketball commitments as well as the academic expectations. I have been fortunate enough to have formed many new friendships with current students, alumni and the community in my new home at the university.

Who do you most look up to in your sport?

I would say that I look up to many different basketball players who have gone before me, but especially those who have come from New Zealand and been successful at some of the highest levels of basketball like Steven Adams, Kirk Penny and Tai Webster, to name a few.

What was the main impact the last two years had on you & your basketball and what have been the learnings you’ve taken from this time?

During the last two years I would say the pandemic had a big impact on myself and basketball. There were many learnings from the pandemic, but for me I would say the most important would be being able to be adaptive, if that be delays or having to change training environments, locations or timings in order to fit the many restrictions that arose.

What is your advice to aspiring young North Shore athletes wanting a career in sport?

I most definitely am not perfect and, like all athletes, experience highs and lows. But my piece of advice to aspiring young athletes would be something I have learnt from a coach of mine. He would always remind us, in times of failure, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” - Samuel Beckett