
- Name
- Tai Wynyard
- Position
- Forward
- Class
- FR
- Hometown (Last School)
- Auckland, NZL (Rangitoto College)
- Ht
- 6'10"
- Wt
- 254
- Seasons
- 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18
- Birthday
- February 5, 1998
PERSONAL
Son of Jason and Karmyn Wynyard … Born Feb. 5, 1998 … Has a brother, Tautoko, and a sister, Moananui … His father is a world-champion lumberjack who owns more than 150 individual world titles … He’s also a lumberjack and considers his axe his most prized possession … His mother played college basketball at the Division II level … His greatest fear is the dark … He chose No. 14 because No. 17, his high school number, isn’t available in college … He says his father has been the greatest influence in his life.
HIGH SCHOOL
Mid-year enrollee who joined the Wildcats on Dec. 17 after graduating from Rangitoto College in Auckland, New Zealand … Became the youngest player ever to make the New Zealand National Team when he was named to the team at 16 years old … Named the most valuable player of the FIBA 3-on-3 World Championships after leading New Zealand to a gold medal … Tabbed the MVP of his high school nationals in New Zealand after leading his team to the high school national championship … Member of the World Team that defeated USA Basketball in the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit … Played in the 2014 International Jordan Brand Classic.
2015-16
Freshman: Midyear enrollee who joined the Wildcats on Dec. 17 … Became eligible for the Ohio State game on Dec. 18 … Did not play in any games in 2015-16 and ended up redshirting … Played for the New Zealand National Team in the 3-on-3 World Championships for a second straight year.
2016-17
Redshirt Freshman: Suited up for New Zealand at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup … Averaged team highs in points (13.8) and rebounds (9.2) in six games for his native country … SEC Academic Honor Roll member … Made 15 appearances in his first full season … Scored 11 points, had 13 rebounds and three blocks, while averaging 3.6 minutes a game … Scored two points in seven minutes at No. 24 Florida … Played in a career-high 12 minutes in the overtime win over Georgia … Swiped a steal and added a block vs. the Bulldogs … Made a free throw in five minutes at Mississippi State … Scored two points, had a rebound and a block vs. Arizona State in the Bahamas … Scored a career-high four points against Cleveland State while also hauling in a career-best three boards … Hit the first bucket of his career in a win over Duquesne … Pulled in two rebounds in Madison Square Garden against No. 13/13 Michigan State … Made his Kentucky debut with two minutes of action in the season opener against Stephen F. Austin.
2017-18
Redshirt Sophomore: Appeared in eight games and recorded eight points, 14 rebounds, three steals and a block … Last appeared in a game Dec. 31 vs. Georgia because of a back injury … Appeared in six straight games before his back flared up …. Played a career-high 12 minutes vs. Monmouth and recorded a career-high-tying four points, a career-high six rebounds and a career-high two steals … Made both of his field goals for a career-high-tying four points and grabbed three rebounds in five minutes vs. UIC … Pulled in three rebounds vs. Troy … Blocked a shot vs. ETSU … Logged seven key minutes vs. No. 4/3 Kansas in the State Farm
In 2018, Wynyard decided to leave Kentucky and transfer, seeking better playing opportunities elsewhere.
After leaving Kentucky, Wynyard returned to New Zealand, where he resumed his professional basketball career.
