Mika Vukona

Early life

Vukona was born in Suva, Fiji to Fijian father, Clem, and New Zealand mother, Marianne. He was raised in Fiji for the first five years of his life, before moving to the New Zealand coastal city of Tauranga. As a junior, Vukona played rugby until age 15 when his mother forced him to stop, leading him to follow his brother's footsteps and started playing basketball. One code's loss was another's gain as Vukona went on to become a member of the national under 16, 18 and 20 sides. Vukona's high school years saw him attend both Bethlehem College and Nelson College.

Career

Vukona made his professional debut in 2000 with the Nelson Giants of the New Zealand NBL, while still at Nelson College. His first nine years of professional basketball saw him become a staple in the New Zealand NBL, while elevating himself in the Australian NBL with the New Zealand Breakers. Between 2000 and 2008, Vukona played for the Nelson Giants, Manawatu Jets and Harbour Heat. He was also a member of the first ever New Zealand Breakers team in 2003–04, and remained with the team until the end of the 2007–08 season. He was elevated from a development player to a full-time contracted player for the 2005–06 season, and was a member of the Tall Blacks side in 2005 and 2006, competing in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

In April 2008, Vukona signed a two-year deal with the South Dragons. He won a championship with the Dragons in 2008–09, but following the season, the team folded. As a result, in June 2009, Vukona signed with the Gold Coast Blaze for the 2009–10 season. Following his stint with the Blaze, he returned to the Nelson Giants for the 2010 New Zealand NBL season.

In April 2010, Vukona signed a two-year deal (with the option of a third year) with the New Zealand Breakers. In July 2010, he re-signed with the Nelson Giants on a three-year deal.

In April 2012, Vukona re-signed with the Breakers on a three-year deal.

On 7 February 2013, it was announced that Vukona would return to the Giants for the 2013 season after he originally intended to sit out the season to rest following his Breakers duties. On 28 February 2013, Vukona played his 200th game with the Breakers.

On 31 March 2014, Vukona re-signed with the Nelson Giants on a short-term contract to replace the injured Adrian Majstrovich. On 23 April 2014, he left the Giants and signed with Byblos for the rest of the 2013–14 Lebanese Basketball League season. On 7 June 2014, he made his return for the Giants following the conclusion of Byblos' season.

On 5 December 2014, Vukona re-signed with the Nelson Giants for the 2015 season. Six days later, he played his 250th game for the Breakers.

After competing in two games for the Nelson Giants to begin the 2015 season, Vukona signed with Italian team Virtus Roma on 21 April 2015 for the rest of the 2014–15 Lega Basket Serie A season. On 5 May 2015, he re-signed with the Breakers on a three-year deal. After Virtus failed to make the 2015 Serie A playoffs, Vukona returned to Nelson on 15 May. In three games for Virtus, he averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

On 11 October 2015, Vukona missed the Breakers' second game of the 2015–16 season with a hamstring injury following 211 consecutive ANBL appearances. On 24 November 2015, he signed a two-year deal with the Super City Rangers. On 8 January 2016, he played his 350th NBL game against the Adelaide 36ers.

On 20 October 2016, Vukona played his 300th game for the Breakers in a loss to the Sydney Kings. Following the 2016–17 NBL season, Vukona did not re-join the Super City Rangers for a second season. He instead took six months away from the game to re-energise and rebuild his worn-down body ahead of the 2017–18 NBL season.

Personal

Vukona and his wife, Vanessa, have two children together, daughter Gia and son Noah.