The Junior Tall Blacks are through to the semi-final round of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, following an impressive 87-61 victory over Iran overnight.
This win locks New Zealand in for a top-4 finish at this tournament, which in turn secures them a berth at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup.
After holding a slim 17-15 lead after the first quarter, the JTBs broke the game open to start the second; going on a 10-0 run thanks to scores from five different players. After Tama Isaac hit back-to-back triples and Carter Hopoi made a driving layup, the Kiwis were up 35-22 and never looked back – outscoring Iran 48-26 across the second and third quarters.
The duo of Hopoi (28 points, 5 rebounds) and Isaac (24 points, 7 assists) were dominant throughout, with Ezrah Eagle adding 8 points, Jonty Bond 7 and Adam Barton 5 points and 5 rebounds. As a team, the Kiwis put on their best offensive showing of the tournament; hitting 47.7% of their shots on 31 made field goals – with 20 of those shots assisted – and sinking 8-25 from downtown at a 32% clip.
For Iran, Salar Taheri scored 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Mohammad Heydari added 11 points and 5 rebounds. Iran was held to just 21 made field goals and 34.4% accuracy, including a paltry 2-19 from beyond the arc; the Kiwis holding their opponents to just 4-16 shooting in the game-changing second quarter. New Zealand also forced Iran into 16 turnovers, which it turned directly into 16 points.
Next up for New Zealand is a semi-final clash with China at 1.30am NZT, Monday 9 September. If New Zealand can win this game, they will proceed to the grand final and will be assured of finishing with at least Silver – equalling their best-ever effort (2019) at this FIBA U18 Asia Cup competition.
Stats:
New Zealand 87 – Hopoi 28 PTS & 5 REB | Isaac 24 PTS & 7 AST | Eagle 8 PTS | Bond 7 PTS | Barton 5 PTS & 5 REB | Treacher 4 PTS & 6 REB | Blight 4 PTS | Hunt 3 PTS | Silberstein 2 PTS & 6 AST | Christof 2 PTS
Iran 61 – Taheri 19 PTS & 9 REB | Heydari 11 PTS & 5 REB
Box Score: https://bbnz.link/U18AC_NZLvIRI
Quarter Scores: 17-15, 41-28, 65-41, 87-61
FIBA U18 Men’s Asia Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Jordan – Tue 3 Sep (WON 71-62)
NZL v Indonesia – Wed 4 Sep (WON 89-43)
NZL v Philippines – Thu 5 Sep (WON 75-58)
NZL v Iran, quarter-finals – Sat 7 Sep (WON 87-61)
NZL v China, semi-finals – 1.30am NZT, Mon 9 Sep
NZ Men’s U18 Squad at U18 Men’s Asia Cup
Adam Barton, Nelson Basketball Association
Will Blight, Nelson Basketball Association
Jonty Bond, Nelson Basketball Association
Chris Christof, Otago Basketball
Ezrah Eagle, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Mahnaya Heke, Waikato Basketball
Julius Halaifonua, NBA Global Academy
Carter Hopoi, Tauranga Basketball Association
Ryan Hunt, Waitakere West Auckland Basketball
Tama Isaac, Canterbury Basketball
Dov Silberstein, Basketball Manawatu
Kahu Treacher, Eastern Arizona College (US)
