Basketball is mourning the death of former NBL coach and player Kevin Braswell at the age of 46.
Braswell’s death was announced on Tuesday, weeks after he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalised in Japan.
A statement from the NBL – Australia’s professional league, which includes a New Zealand-based club – said Braswell “was one of the most loved and respected figures in the New Zealand basketball community”.
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Tributes poured in from both sides of the Tasman, as well as America and Japan where he had been coaching.
New Zealand Breakers head coach Kevin Braswell speaks to his players in 2018. Getty
Braswell won the 2011 NBL title with the Breakers and averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds that season.
He was named the NBL’s Best Sixth Man and helped the New Zealand team beat Cairns in the finals.
He also played for the Melbourne Tigers and Southland Sharks. He played college ball for Georgetown.
After his playing career ended he turned his hand to coaching, and took charge of the Breakers in 2018.
This season he had been coaching Utsunomiya Brex in Japan.
“The NBL sends its deepest condolences to the Braswell family during this difficult time,” the league said.
