Trump names Australian pro basketball team owner as New Zealand, Samoa ambassador

President Donald Trump recently announced the nomination of Australian basketball Illawarra Hawks majority owner Jared Novelly as the next U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa. Trump described Novelly as a “highly respected philanthropist” in an announcement on Truth Social.

Novelly, who serves as chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management, is also an East Asia Superleague Basketball shareholder according to his LinkedIn profile. Trump expressed confidence in Novelly’s ability to protect America’s interests in the Indo-Pacific region and always prioritize America’s interests.

The announcement of Novelly’s nomination comes at a time when the Trump administration is making key appointments to various diplomatic positions. It is expected that Novelly will bring his experience in the sports and entertainment industry to his new role as U.S. ambassador.

In addition to Novelly’s nomination, President Trump has also nominated Penny Schwinn for the position of Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Schwinn’s nomination is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the administration’s focus on education policy and reform.

The nomination of Novelly and Schwinn reflects President Trump’s commitment to appointing individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise to key positions in his administration. These appointments are part of a broader effort to advance the administration’s agenda and priorities.

As these nominations move forward, it will be important for both Novelly and Schwinn to undergo the confirmation process and demonstrate their qualifications for their respective roles. The Senate will play a key role in reviewing and approving these nominations, ensuring that the individuals selected are well-suited for the responsibilities they will undertake.

Overall, the nominations of Jared Novelly and Penny Schwinn represent an important step in the Trump administration’s efforts to build a team of qualified individuals to lead key government agencies and represent the United States on the world stage. Their appointments will be closely watched as they move through the confirmation process and begin their work in their new roles.