From the Vault | BBNZ Classic Matches #2

Looking for some basketball to watch?

With our tournaments and leagues on a temporary hiatus, we’ve gone through the archives to bring you some classic games from yesteryear to watch!

If you have any games you’d like to see, or have access to recorded games you can share, please let us know by contacting us here.

Enjoy!


BBNZ Classic Match #2: 2015 U18 3×3 World Cup Men’s Final| NZ vs. Argentina  

Just four years after their success at the inaugural FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships, our NZ U18 men regained their crown, defeating reigning champions Argentina in a thrilling final (20-18) in front of a bumper crowd in Debrecen, Hungary.

2.05m Tai Wynyard was just 13 years old and did not even make his school basketball team when the likes of Isaac Fotu and Tai Webster won the 2011 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships in Rimini, Italy. Just a few years later, those two were playing for New Zealand’s Tall Blacks at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

NZ dominated finals day, hammering Russia 21-13 in the quarterfinals and fellow powerhouse Spain 21-8 in the semi-finals before accounting for Argentina in the final. Wynyard won MVP honours and was also the top scorer in the title game with eight points and made his presence felt on defence, which included a memorable block on Martin Ariel Fernandez.

NZ Team: Tai Wynyard, Matt Freeman, Nikau McCullough and Sam Timmins.

Head Coach: Anthony Corban

Team of the Tournament (MEN): Tai Wynyard (NZL); Martin Ariel Fernandez (ARG); Killian Tillie (FRA)