Lilly Taulelei

Position:
Center/Forward
Class:
Freshman
Height:
6-3
High School:
Queen Margaret College
Hometown:
Wellington, New Zealand

Before UMass: Contracted player with the Tokomanawa Queens in 2022 ... Made the Wellington U19 Basketball Representative Team ... Competed for the New Zealand U14 Basketball Team, helping the team to a gold medal in Melbourne, Australia ... Captained the New Zealand U15 Basketball Team, guiding the team to the National U15 Championships and gaining selection to the Tournament Team ... Was also named the Tournament MVP ... With the New Zealand U16 Basketball Team, she aided the team to a fourth-place finish at the Asia Cup Championships in 2021, qualifying for the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, where the team placed 12th ... Became the first female in New Zealand Basketball history to be selected to the Jr. NBA Global Championship ... Named the team captain of the Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Team ... Played with the New Zealand Tall Ferns ... Captain of her high school varsity team in 2020 ... Earned Team MVP and ranked fourth in points scored in the high school competition ... Tabbed High School Female Basketball Player of the Year ... Garnered College Sport Sportsperson Basketball of the Year ... Lauded College Sport Sportsperson Sportsperson of the Year accolade ... Selected to compete in the Women's National Basketball League, a professional/amateur competition for elite female basketball players, as the youngest ever to compete at the level ... Averaged 20 minutes per game, 4.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game in six contests played

Leflar on Taulelei: "Lilly and her family's relationship with UMass and our staff advanced quickly. Initially, I was impressed with what I watched on film. Lilly brings a true post presence to our program. Then getting to know Lilly more and understanding her playing experiences in New Zealand made her even more impressive."