Kenny McFadden, one of the most iconic figures in New Zealand basketball, has died aged 61.
Born in the US, McFadden made his name playing in the American college system, before relocating to New Zealand in 1982.
As a player-coach with Wellington Saints, McFadden won four national titles before retiring from the game in 1996.
The Saints won New Zealand's NBL in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988 in McFadden's time, as well as finishing runners-up in 1983 and 1986.
Such was McFadden's influence in the New Zealand game, he became the first player to have his jersey number retired, with no player to ever take the No.5 singlet again in his honour.
New Zealand Basketball general manager Huw Beynon remembers McFadden's influence, as one of the first players to take the game in this country into the mainstream.
"He pretty much changed basketball in New Zealand," Beynon tells Newshub.
"He came over in 1982 from the States, joined the Saints, and that was it. They became the most successful franchise in the history of our country, they still are. He won four titles with them straight off the bat.
"Back then the NBL wasn't on TV, it was just a local thing some people went to. He made it big time. Him playing - and winning - got it on TV, made it this national competition, national event people would flock to.
"We called it the 'golden era' of the NBL, which has only really returned in the last few years or so. Kenny Mac's been a part of that too, because he's been an assistant coach for the Wellington Saints the whole time he's [been] retired too."
McFadden remained in basketball as a coach with the Saints after his retirement as a player, and served as an assistant to Pero Cameron and Paul Henare across more than one stint.
Off the court though, McFadden was instrumental in New Zealand basketball youth development, with his programme most notably producing Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams, and also working with the Junior Tall Blacks.
"A lot of people know him as the man who nurtured or mentored Steven Adams, set him on his way to NBA stardom," adds Beynon.
"He's given so much to Wellington basketball, and to New Zealand basketball. It's terrible news.
"I'm not personal friends with Steven Adams or anything like that. But Kenny Mac was such a huge part of getting him to where he got.
"Steven's been on the record saying that, how much Kenny did for him as a young kid. He was a youngie coming out of Rotorua, Kenny helped get him to Wellington.
"Young kids from Rotorua didn't go to the NBA. Kenny saw that potential in him, helped him get over to the States to do the year of prep school, and then into the NBA.
"Steven owes so much to Kenny Mac, as so many people do in New Zealand basketball."
McFadden had been battling polycystic kidney disease, a condition that sees the kidney's healthy tissue to become enlarged and lose function over time.
