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Indian Panthers
Indian Panthers logo
LeagueNZNBL
FoundedOctober 2024
FoldedMay 2025
HistoryIndian Panthers
2025
LocationAuckland, New Zealand
Team coloursBlack, white, orange
     
Websiteindianpanthers.co.nz

The Indian Panthers were a basketball team that competed in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) during the 2025 season. Based in Auckland, the Panthers initially played their home games at Pulman Arena in Takanini before switching mid-season to the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe.

Established in October 2024 by the Indian National Basketball League (INBL), the franchise aimed to foster international basketball connections and provide Indian players with professional opportunities abroad. Despite initial aspirations, the team's debut season was marred by significant challenges, including the failure to bring the majority of their Indian-based players to New Zealand. Only three of the ten Indian players initially named in the squad traveled to New Zealand, leading to operational difficulties and a lack of competitive depth. These issues culminated in the team's suspension from the league in early May 2025 due to serious allegations, and they officially withdrew from the competition later that month, acknowledging their inability to meet the conditions required to complete the season.

Team history

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In July 2024, it was revealed that the New Zealand NBL was looking at an expansion team from the Indian National Basketball League (INBL).[1][2][3] On 30 October 2024, it was announced that the Indian Panthers would join the 2025 New Zealand NBL season,[4] with a roster primarily consisting of Indian national players.[5] They based themselves in Auckland, with the city being home to the largest percentage of migrants from India as of the 2023 census.[6] While initially believed to be backed by the INBL, it was later reported by The Post that club backing had been via Australia-based property entrepreneurs who were not present in Auckland.[7]

Ten Indian players were initially named in the Panthers' squad,[8] including Princepal Singh.[9] However, due to delayed visa applications and an Indian national team camp, the Panthers were unable to participate in the NBL's pre-season tournament[10] and two days prior to their season opener, it was announced that the team would start the season with a mostly New Zealand player roster,[11][12][13][14] which included Leon Henry.[15]

In their inaugural game on 12 March 2025, the Panthers lost 112–78 to the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Napier.[16] Head coach Miles Pearce chose to step down after just one game, announcing his departure two days before the Panthers' debut home game of the season. He was replaced by Jonathan Goodman as interim coach.[17] The team was later without Goodman, their CEO and their general manager for a fortnight, with the trio based in Melbourne.[18] American import Alex Robinson parted ways with the team after six games[15] due to non-payment.[19]

The team reportedly did not have a practice facility in Auckland, with impromptu training sessions having to be organised by players.[7] A mid-season home venue switch saw the Panthers move from Takanini to Pukekohe because the club was unable to afford the operational costs at Pulman Arena.[18] With outstanding bills owed to Pulman Arena, the club began relying on the generosity of the Franklin Bulls to stage home games at the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre.[20]

By late April, just three of the team's ten Indian players had travelled to New Zealand.[8] Internal questions over the delayed arrival of the team's Indian players would go unanswered by management.[18] The team's Chinese import, Shenghze Li, and three Indian players—Tushal Singh, Aaron Blessing and Sejin Mathew—reportedly lacked funds to pay for food, relying on food banks and rival clubs giving them food vouchers.[7] Reports emerged that the challenges faced by Indian players already with the Panthers in New Zealand were discouraging their compatriots back in India from joining the team.[18]

On 25 April 2025, the New Zealand NBL was notified about delayed payments to Panthers players and staff. A meeting with the team's ownership occurred on 28 April. By the next day, some players had been paid and the game against the Canterbury Rams was expected to go ahead, but the Panthers players chose not to play, leading the league to postpone the match.[19][21] On 1 May, the Panthers were suspended indefinitely from the league with immediate effect.[20][22] On 9 May, the league postponed two further games involving the Panthers and provided the team a 10-day notice to fully adhere to all conditions; if not satisfied, the participation agreement would be terminated.[23][24][25] On 19 May, it was reported that the team's three Indian players had returned to India.[26] That same day, the Panthers' 20 May game against the Tauranga Whai was postponed.[27]

On 22 May 2025, the Panthers officially withdrew from the NBL, citing an inability to meet the league's requirements to complete the season due to a range of factors. As a result of the Panthers withdrawal, the NBL advised that the 2025 season would be completed with 11 teams and that all results from the nine games played by the Panthers would be removed entirely.[28][29] The Panthers had a 0–9 record at the time of their withdrawal.[30]

Players

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Current roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Indian Panthers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G 6 New Zealand Durham, Samuel
G 7 India Singh, Tushal 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 8 New Zealand Lepou, Cooper 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
G 9 New Zealand Carr, Hayden
G 10 New Zealand Pearn, Zavier 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 11 New Zealand Beckham, Shirlayne
G 12 New Zealand Paea, Stephan
F 13 India Mathew, Sejin 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 14 New Zealand Perry, Brody 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 15 New Zealand Henry, Leon (C) 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 16 India Blessen, Aaron Verghese 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
C 17 New Zealand Wide, Callum
F/C 18 China Li, Shengzhe (I) 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)
G/F 23 India Negi, Riyanshu 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 29 India Singh, Lokendra 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F/C 42 India Singh, Princepal 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G 47 India Rathore, Jaideep 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
G 65 India Dagar, Harsh 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 69 India Singh Kahlon, Arvinder 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
G 89 India Sandhu, Gurbaz 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
F/C New Zealand Bolstad, Patrich 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
F New Zealand Boyce-Towler, Cooper 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
G New Zealand Broughton, Salem
F New Zealand Kelemete, Luke
G New Zealand Laumatia, Ryan 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F New Zealand Lenden, Vince
F India Manoj, Vaisakh 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F New Zealand Matakatea, Dante 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
G New Zealand Mulvihill, Francis 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
F New Zealand Potts-Broughton, Emmerson 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F New Zealand Sipeli, Jimi
F New Zealand Te Puni, Zack 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 26 April 2025

References

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  1. ^ "BREAKING NEW GROUND: INDIAN NBL SEEKS ENTRY INTO NBL AND TAUIHI LEAGUES". nznbl.basketball. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
  2. ^ Egan, Brendon (19 July 2024). "NBL, Tauihi basketball leagues set to feature Indian backed teams from 2025". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Indian-backed teams to join NZ basketball leagues in 2025". 1news.co.nz. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Indian Panthers Join NBL & Tauihi – Kiwi Basketball Set To Soar In India". nznbl.basketball. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024.
  5. ^ "The Indian Panthers are taking shape ahead of their entry into the New Zealand men's basketball league". NZCity. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  6. ^ "It's official – Indian Panthers confirmed to join New Zealand basketball leagues in 2025". Stuff.co.nz. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Hinton, Marc (1 May 2025). "Indian Panthers' spot in NBL hangs by thread as players allege 'delayed payments'". The Post. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b Sharma, Gaurav (23 May 2025). "Why the Indian Panthers' debut season ended in failure". RNZ. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Roster". indianpanthers.co.nz. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Indian Panthers to Join Sal's NBL on March 12 After Visa Setback". nznbl.basketball. 28 February 2025. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025.
  11. ^ "Panthers Expand Kiwi Connection Due To Indian National Team Camp". nznbl.basketball. 10 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025.
  12. ^ "New Indian National Basketball League team to debut with ... Kiwi players". Stuff.co.nz. 11 March 2025. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Panthers a mystery ahead of NBL debut". NZ Sports Wire. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Straight Shot: Indian Panthers Season Preview". nznbl.basketball. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Import guard departs reeling Indian Panthers". NZ Sports Wire. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Teen stars as Hawks tip-off NBL with win". NZ Sports Wire. 12 March 2025. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  17. ^ Tom, Blessen (25 March 2025). "Home losses, coach's departure sour start to Indian Panthers' debut season". RNZ. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d Fa'afiu, Elijah (30 April 2025). "Indian Panthers: Team CEO responds to concerns about pay delays". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Former Indian Panthers player slams 'disrespectful' treatment from team". 1News. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  20. ^ a b Anderson, Ian (1 May 2025). "Indian Panthers suspended from NZ National Basketball League". The Post. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Indian Panthers Update". nznbl.basketball. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Indian Panthers Suspended". nznbl.basketball. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Indian Panthers Update". nznbl.basketball. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  24. ^ Hinton, Marc (9 May 2025). "New Zealand NBL issues notice of termination to troubled Indian Panthers franchise". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Indian Panthers face ejection from basketball league". RNZ. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  26. ^ Tom, Blessen (19 May 2025). "Indian Panthers players reportedly return to India as termination deadline nears". RNZ. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Indian Panthers Game Postponed". nznbl.basketball. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Indian Panthers Withdraw From National Basketball League". nznbl.basketball. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Indian Panthers withdraw from National Basketball League". NZ Herald. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  30. ^ Hinton, Marc (22 May 2025). "Indian Panthers withdraw from New Zealand NBL, unable to meet conditions to continue". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
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