Ken Tuffin

Kenneth James Diocares Tuffin[1] (born 5 May 1997) is a Filipino-New Zealand basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Diocares and the surname or paternal family name is Tuffin.
Ken Tuffin
No. 20 – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
PositionSmall forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1997-05-05) 5 May 1997
Wellington, New Zealand
NationalityFilipino / New Zealand
Listed height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Career information
High schoolSt Patrick's College, Silverstream
CollegeFar Eastern University (2016–2019)
PBA draft2023: 1st round, 6th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020Taranaki Mountainairs
2021–2023Wellington Saints
2023–presentPhoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Career highlights and awards

Early life and education

Tuffin was born on 5 May 1997[2] in New Zealand, spending his childhood in Wellington. As a child, Tuffin had watched games of the New Zealand National Basketball League[3] and his father used to take him to basketball games.[4]

For his high school studies, Tuffin attended St. Patrick's College in Upper Hutt.[5] He was widely involved in his high school's academic program, playing for St Patrick's basketball, cricket, and rugby teams.[6]

He moved to the Philippines at age 18 to pursue collegiate studies at the Far Eastern University in Manila.[3]

Collegiate career

Tuffin played for the FEU Tamaraws basketball team which played at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).[3] FEU did not finish outside the Final Four, in all seasons that Tuffin played (Season 79 to 82; 2016–2019).[5] In Season 82, Tuffin was made captain of the Tamaraws.[7]

Professional career

Taranaki Mountaineers (2020)

Tuffin was the 44th overall selection in New Zealand NBL for the 2020 season. He was selected by the Taranaki Mountainairs. Prior to the draft, Tuffin secured consent from FEU to play in the NBL and joined the league as an amateur player.[8]

He planned to play professionally after he graduated from FEU to potentially play in the Philippine Basketball Association.[9][10] However in December 2020, he decided to forego his final year of eligibility to play for FEU after UAAP Season 83's cancellation and decided to turn professional.[11]

Wellington Saints (2021–2023)

After suiting up for the Taranaki Mountaineers, Tuffin moved to the Wellington Saints for the 2021 season.[12] Tuffin was acquired by Wellington after the team decided to skip the 2020 season.[13][14] He continued on with the Saints in 2022[15] and 2023.[16]

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2023–present)

In 2023, he returned to the Philippines and applied for the PBA Season 48 draft,[17] where he was selected sixth overall by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. On October 2, 2023, he signed a three-year rookie contract with the team.[18]

National team career

Tuffin is eligible to play for the national teams of the Philippines and New Zealand. He is among the 23 youths included in the Philippines' #23for23 pool of players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[19] He was also included in New Zealand's pool for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[20]

Personal life

Tuffin's mother was born in Rosario, La Union, and has relatives living in the provinces of Pampanga and Pangasinan.[10]

References
  1. Lising, Charmie (3 October 2018). "Tamaraws upend skidding Bulldogs to book third win". ESPN5. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  2. "Kenneth Tuffin – Player Bio". Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (15 June 2020). "FEU captain Ken Tuffin drafted in New Zealand semi-pro league". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  4. Morales, Luisa (28 June 2020). "New Zealand stint 'dream come true' for Fil-Kiwi Tuffin". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. Lozada, Bong (1 November 2019). "With another stint in the Final 4, Tuffin motivated to help FEU 'do something special'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. Barton, Tim (2 June 2015). "Silverstream's Kenneth Tuffin seeks further sporting honours". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  7. Atencio, Peter (2 September 2019). "Fil-Kiwi Tuffin to play bigger role for FEU". Manila Standard. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  8. Li, Matthew (15 June 2020). "Ken Tuffin drafted as 44th overall pick in NZ NBL Draft". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (15 June 2020). "NBL draftee Ken Tuffin: 'My career in FEU is NOT over'". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  10. Leongson, Randolph (30 June 2020). "Ken Tuffin still targets the PBA after FEU, NZ NBL stints". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. Leongson, Randolph (21 December 2020). "Ken Tuffin foregoes final year with FEU to turn pro in NZ". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  12. "Ex-FEU captain Ken Tuffin to debut for Wellington in New Zealand NBL". ABS-CBN News. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  13. "Tuffin makes Saints debut in New Zealand's NBL". Manila Bulletin. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  14. Li, Matthew (24 April 2021). "Tuffin makes successful Wellington debut, wallops Otago in NZ-NBL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  15. "Saints starting guard from the 2021 NBL Championship winning team - Kenneth Tuffin has resigned with The Wellington Saints". Twitter. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  16. "A warm welcome back to Kenneth Tuffin". saints.co.nz. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  17. Terrado, Reuben (7 August 2023). "Kenneth Tuffin applies for PBA draft after pro stint in New Zealand". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  18. Li, Matthew (2 October 2023). "Phoenix Super LPG locks Tuffin, Verano, Rivero, Daves to separate deals". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  19. Lintag, Paul Kennedy (29 June 2020). "Whatever happened to Gilas Pilipinas #23for23?". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  20. "23 for '23 Gilas Cadet Tuffin added to Tall Black pool". 29 July 2020.
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