In advance of the FIBA U23 Nations League next month, 3×3 Tall Blacks head coach Piet Van Hasselt is holding a three-day selection camp in Christchurch from today.
Josh Book, Daniel Dobson, Tyler Herbert, Tanae Lavery, Zach McKenzie, Zach Hannen, Campbell Scott and Aidan Tonge were among the 3×3 athletes invited to this selection camp.
The camp sees the return of four players from last year’s FIBA U23 Nations League in Dobson, Herbert, Tonge and Lavery. Tonge also appeared for the 3×3 Tall Blacks at the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament back in April.
Newcomers include talented scoring guard Scott – currently playing for the Manawatu Jets in the Sal’s NBL – and Book, who will begin his sophomore year at Missouri Western State University later this year. Alongside them is athletic forward McKenzie, who played for the Franklin Bulls last season and is currently playing in Australia.
Joining these invitees are Hunter Adam, Adam Bayer, Pita King and Noah Watson, who will serve as training players over the three days of the camp.
Following the selection camp, coach Van Hasselt will select five athletes for the NZ 3×3 U23 National Team; this squad set to travel to the U23 Nations League in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 22-28 July.
The U23 Youth Nations League also serves as a Qualifier event for the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024, to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 11-15 September 2024. To earn a ticket to this pinnacle age group 3×3 event, the NZ U23 National Team must finish first overall in the Asia 1 Conference which includes hosts Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore.
The squad will participate in a gruelling six stops over seven days, with a minimum of 12 games played over this time.
3×3 programmes manager Nikolay Mikhalchuk says that the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League is a key event for BBNZ’s high-performance 3×3 programme.
“The Youth Nations League is the biggest source of ranking FIBA points for our federation; and these points are multiplied by six as we have six Stops over seven days,” says Mikhalchuk.
“This is a unique chance to prove our strong resume in Asia and build a solid ranking foundation for 2025. This foundation will also allow our senior teams to be in the mix to qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup next year.
“To maximise our chances of success, we decided to hold a selection camp, and I’m happy with the invited athletes and the continuity we have built. I also want to thank the practice players; such high-level athletes help play a part in our successful preparation and will elevate the competitive environment at the camp.”
