Canterbury Rams' co-captain Marques Whippy is something of a contradiction. A Fijian, who plays basketball.

Sevens and rugby union are revered in the Pacific Island nation, but Whippy has always preferred a Spalding instead of an oval ball.

Basketball is very much in the blood with parents Paul and Olive, former Fiji internationals.

Whippy and his four brothers, Leonard, Waymann, Jared and Josh have all represented the Fiji national team with Marques debuting at just 14.

"It's a family business," Whippy joked.

"Mum and dad met through basketball. It's been a family tradition. That's how I got into it."

Twins Jared and Josh are both on rugby scholarships in the United States at Brigham Young University (BYU), Whippy's former college.

The 1.93m Whippy wouldn't have been out of place packing down as a blindside flanker, but said his rugby involvement was limited.

He played at high school in Suva, but was undersized, not getting stronger until he lifted weights in college.

Whippy was also reluctant to risk injury and jeopardise his chances of getting a basketball scholarship in the US.

The 29-year-old is in his second national league season with the Rams.

He followed coach Mark Dickel north when the Otago Nuggets folded because of financial issues after the 2014 campaign, where he suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles following the first game. 

Whippy, who is playing centre this season, will be a busy man when the Rams host the Taranaki Mountain Airs at Cowles Stadium on Thursday night.

Taranaki lost all 18 games last season, but stunned Jeff Green's Super City Rangers in Auckland in their opening game.

Whippy will be tasked with containing Taranaki's Kiwi big men Aaron Bailey-Nowell and Jordan Ngatai, who combined for 45 points and 16 rebounds last week.

"We're expecting them to come out fighting. Our gameplan is to match their intensity.

"If we come out with a high intensity and hustle, winning will take care of itself."

Canterbury also made an encouraging beginning, upsetting the Nelson Giants 100-86.

They received an excellent contribution from Whippy, who was industrious with 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds in his 22 minutes.

Whippy isn't the most athletic basketballer around, but makes up for that with his energy, commitment and passion.

He frequently throws himself on the floor, diving for loose balls, and wins rebounds with his sheer relentlessness.

Whippy and wife Valmene have made a home in Christchurch after bouncing around the world with his basketball commitments.

He is employed by the Rams, coaching in the schools and academy, enjoying "giving back to the community".

Whippy said he couldn't speak highly enough of Dickel and Rams' director Andrew Harrison.

"When family is not around you look for friends and Christchurch has been the closest to family with Andrew and Mark. They've really embraced my family as their own.

"I've been able to make my passion, my profession."

 

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/77928814/basketball-a-family-affair-for-canterbury-rams-fijian-marques-whippy