Born in Los Angeles in March 2005, Lilly Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Koata) was New Zealand’s first basketball athlete selected to the Jr NBA and captain the Asia Pacific region in 2019.

That same year, at age 15, she was the youngest to play in the women’s 18N18 national league, and she hasn’t looked back.

A Head Prefect who speaks three languages, Lilly is currently in her final year as an IB student at Queen Margaret College, with 14 US Colleges being considered by her to study and play basketball in 2023.

Basketball New Zealand recently announced their NZ U17 team to compete for the Asia Cup in June, and FIBA U17 World Cup in July, naming Lilly amongst the 12 talented athletes to represent the mighty Aotearoa.