We regret to advise the passing of former BBNZ President and Life Member, Graeme Davey, on Monday afternoon. He was 72 years old.  

Graeme was a member of the BBNZ Executive through the late 1970’s and became President in December 1980 replacing Maurice Henshall.  

He held this office until about 1987/88 approx.  Dave Rout was his successor. His funeral is on Saturday.  the death notice appears in today's Press.

 During his time, Graeme, Maurie Henshall and Joe Mcleod(Executive Officer at the time) attended the Moscow Olympics in 1980 to  promote NZ Basketball,  the Commonwealth Basketball Tournament was held in NZ in 1984 and hosted Boris Stankovic, then general secretary of FIBA, in about 1986.   Boris and his wife attended the National League Final at the Winter Show Bldgs in Wellington, where the Saints, led by Kenny McFadden won the final in a nail-biter.   It was a great finish with Kenny sinking the winner on the button but Boris had seen it all before!!! 

Graeme then hosted them around the North Island for about a week showing them the country.   It is believed this groundwork was the reason NZ were invited as a wild card entry to the World Champs in Spain about 1987 and have now consolidated that with good performances in subsequent years.  The NZBF office was in Christchurch at the time.