Nwafor signs with Bulls and receives Commission support for status change

The Franklin Bulls are excited to welcome back KC Nwafor to the 2025 roster.

Nwafor arrived in New Zealand at the age of 16, joining Rotorua Boys High School in 2019 with aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player. KC represented the school for four years, contributing to their top 4 finish at the 2022 Secondary School Nationals.

Nwafor played a significant role for the Waikato U18 Representative team, contributing to their victory in the National Championship in 2020, and also participated in the first-ever 2023 Tupu League competition, securing the championship with Taranaki and earning the tournament MVP title.

For the past two years Nwafor has been developing under Bulls Head Coaches, Daniel Sokolovsky and current Head Coach Sebastian Gleim. Nwafor was signed to the Bulls as a DP player both years, but his game time has been limited due to the 6’8 big man’s import status. Imports in the Sal’s NBL are regarded in the upper echelon of the Sal’s NBL, meaning Nwafor’s competition for game time are some of the best players in the Sal’s NBL and only limited spots for imports are available (3 per team).

The Bulls requested that Nwafor be considered a local due to his commitment to New Zealand and basketball and that his time in the country would already have him on track to apply for permanent residency. KC hasn't been back to Nigeria since he arrived in New Zealand in 2019.

In November, with the support of all the Sals NBL teams, the NBLL Commission agreed to the proposal meaning Nwafor would be granted the special dispensation play as “a local”. The decision letter stated “It is a dispensation that has been granted to the Player and has been made on compassionate grounds and on the specific circumstances that apply to player KC Nwafor”.

GM Jamie Reddish says this is something to celebrate...

“We have always wanted to be development minded. For the past two season KC has lived in Pukekohe, is working locally and training to get better with our coaches. His commitment has been outstanding and we are excited he will get a chance to play more this season”

Head Coach Sebastian Gleim is excited by the growth he has seen in KC. "KC made a good step in the last year and was a leader in the Franklin Men's Tupu League Team in 2024. This opportunity for KC to be classed as a local is huge and he has been putting in a lot of work in preparation for this upcoming season."

“We want to thank the NBLL Commission, the League and the other Sal’s NBL Teams for understanding the special circumstances surrounding KC. We'd hope and expect that any player that has shown KC's commitment to our country and our sport be given the same dispensation." Adds Reddish.