Kerry Martin Boagni (born September 24, 1964)[1] is an American former professional basketball player. A native of California, he played college basketball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans before being drafted by the Utah Jazz in the 1986 NBA draft. He then began a very successful career in New Zealand, playing the majority of his years for the Wellington Saints.

Kerry Boagni
Personal information
Born (1964-09-24) September 24, 1964 (age 60)
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolSerra (Gardena, California)
College
NBA draft1986: 5th round, 105th overall pick
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Playing career1988–1999
PositionPower forward
Career history
1988–1992Wellington Saints
1993–1995Hawke's Bay Hawks
1996–1997Wellington Saints
1998North Harbour Kings
1999North Otago Penguins
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA U19 World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1983 Palma de Mallorca National team

Early life

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Boagni was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Serra High School in Gardena, California, where he played basketball. A star forward, Boagni averaged 24 points and 17 rebounds per game and shot 61% from the floor. He was named to the 1982 Sporting News' Top 10 prep list, the USA Men's U.S. Olympic Festival Roster, and made more than a half dozen All-America teams. Boagni played in the 1982 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, along with future NBA stars Dell Curry and Kenny Walker.[2]

College career

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A highly regarded recruit, Boagni selected the University of Kansas to pursue his basketball career. In his freshman year, he was the team's No. 2 scorer (14 points per game), scored in double figures 23 times, and was named to the Big Eight Conference all-freshman team. After playing 10 games for Kansas in his sophomore year,[3] Boagni transferred to California State University, Fullerton and excelled. The Utah Jazz subsequently picked Boagni with the 105th overall draft pick in the 1986 NBA draft.[4]

Professional career

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Boagni landed in New Zealand in 1988 where he began a successful NBL career with the Wellington Saints. Boagni and fellow American Kenny McFadden became club legends[5] as they helped the Saints win the 1988 championship and both earned All-Star Five honors. Boagni played five seasons for the Saints, departing the club for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 1993. Between 1993 and 1998, Boagni played for the Hawks, had a second stint with the Saints, and had one season with the North Harbour Kings. In 267 career NBL games, Boagni recorded 6,929 points (ranked second all-time) and 1,870 rebounds (ranked ninth all-time).[6][7] Then in 1999, he served as player-coach of the North Otago Penguins and helped them win the Conference Basketball League championship.[8][9]

Personal

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Boagni's ex-partner, Jane McMeeken, was a former captain of the New Zealand women's national basketball team.[10] His daughter, Tessa, has played in the Women's Basketball Championship, the top women's basketball competition in New Zealand.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ 13 - Kerry Martin Boagni
  2. ^ All American High School Basketball Games
  3. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE ; Boagni Quits Kansas
  4. ^ Woodling: Last time KSU won at home …
  5. ^ Fans come marching in for Saints
  6. ^ All-Time NBL Leaders
  7. ^ "National Basketball League (New Zealand) - Rebounds". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  8. ^ "CBL Final". plug.co.nz. August 25, 1999. Archived from the original on January 18, 2000. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  9. ^ CBL FINALS - SECTION B
  10. ^ Basketball all in the family for new Tall Fern Tessa Boagni
  11. ^ Tessa Boagni courts success in two sports
  12. ^ Boagni becomes a Matador
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