The Basketball communities of Australia and New Zealand are mourning after the death of the death of the man who played a key role in the delivery of the first NBA championship to the New Zealand Breakers.
Kevin Bravell, a former player and coach of the New Zealand Breakers, died at the age of 46.
American basketball died in Japan on February 24, 2025, weeks after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery.
Brawell had been hospitalized in Ussunomiya since January 17 due to a heart condition.
Although the surgery was successful, he suffered complications that finally led to his death. His death was confirmed by his current club, Ussunomiya Brex.
Born in Baltimore, Browell played university basketball at Georgetown University from 1998 to 2002.
Kevin Brasell helped deliver the first NBL championship to the New Zealand breakers
Brawell was known for his strong defense and leadership qualities in his NBL career
Brawell had made the transition to training and was working in Japan when he suffered a heart attack
He became the leader of all the school time in assists and robberies before not being recruited in the NBA Draft of 2002. He played professionally in Europe, South America and the NBA D-League before reaching New Zealand in 2010.
Brawell joined the breakers for the 2010-11 season, helping the team to secure their first NBL championship.
Brawell hit several clutch shots in the five -game series, including a triple triple in the two two game that maintained its side in the search for the championship.
His contributions earned him the NBL Sexth Man of the Year award.
He later played in the NBL in New Zealand, winning two titles with Southland sharks before making the transition to training.
As a coach, Browell found success leading the Wellington Saints to consecutive NBL titles in New Zealand in 2017 and 2018.
He was appointed coach of the Breakers in 2018, but held the position for just one season.
He continued training in New Zealand before moving to Japan, where he became an assistant coach of UTSunomiya Brex in 2023. He was promoted to chief coach for the 2024-25 season.
The former switch underwent emergency cardiac surgery that was successful, but then died in the hospital
Basketball communities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States are mourning for the death of Browell
Bravell's legacy will be his efforts to help make sport in New Zealand at all levels
Ussunomiya Brex published a statement that expresses his pain:
“We would like to express our sincere respect and gratitude to Mr. Braswell for his dedication to the development of the club and his contribution to the growth of the team in the course of two seasons,” the club published.
“We will miss and express our deepest condolences for its passion and dedication.”
New Zealand breakers also paid tribute to their former player and coach.
'Today we cry the death of the legend of the Kevin Braswell switches. KB, a former player, winner of the championship, sixth man of the year and chief coach died during the night. Our thoughts and Aroha are with their family right now, 'the club published.
Other organizations, including the Wellington Saints, Southland Sharks and the National Basketball League of New Zealand, also recognized Brewell's contributions to sport.
New Zealand basketball reflected on its impact on a statement.
'Kevin Brazwell, or KB, as it was known to many, was much more than a player or coach. He was a leader who poured much of his time, energy and love to grow the game in Aotearoa, 'he said.
After his death, Ussunomiya Brex announced that funeral and commemorative services would be carried out in their country of origin according to the wishes of their afflicted family.
The club also rejected the offerings of gifts and donations of condolence, asking in its place thoughts and prayers for the loved ones of Browell.