Ken Tuffin

Kenneth James Diocares Tuffin (born 5 May 1997) is a Filipino-New Zealand basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Early life and education Tuffin was born on 5 May 1997 in New Zealand, spending his childhood in Wellington. As a child, Tuffin had watched games of the New Zealand National Basketball League and his father used to take him to basketball games.

For his high school studies, Tuffin attended St. Patrick's College in Upper Hutt. He was widely involved in his high school's academic program, playing for St Patrick's basketball, cricket, and rugby teams.

He moved to the Philippines at age 18 to pursue collegiate studies at the Far Eastern University in Manila.

Professional career

New Zealand

Taranaki Mountaineers (2020) Tuffin was the 44th overall selection in New Zealand NBL for the 2020 season. He was selected by the Taranaki Mountainairs. Prior to the draft, Tuffin secured consent from FEU to play in the NBL and joined the league as an amateur player.

He planned to play professionally after he graduated from FEU to potentially play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Wellington Saints (2021–2023) After suiting up for the Taranaki Mountaineers, Tuffin moved to the Wellington Saints for the 2021 season. Tuffin was acquired by Wellington after the team decided to skip the 2020 season. He continued on with the Saints in 2022 and 2023.

Philippines

Phoenix Fuel Masters (2023–present) In 2023, he returned to the Philippines and applied for the PBA season 48 draft, where he was selected sixth overall by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. On October 2, 2023, he signed a three-year rookie contract with the team.

Career statistics

PBA

As of the end of 2024–25 season

Season-by-season averages

NZNBL

Season-by-season averages

National team career Tuffin is eligible to play for the national teams of the Philippines and New Zealand. He is among the 23 youths included in the Philippines' #23for23 pool of players for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He was also included in New Zealand's pool for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Personal life Tuffin's mother was born in Rosario, La Union, and has relatives living in the provinces of Pampanga and Pangasinan.