The Tall Blacks have made two forced changes to their roster for the second of two FIBA Asia Cup qualifying games against Chinese Taipei in Christchurch on Monday night.
Max Darling and Sam Mennenga have both been ruled out due to injury and will be replaced in the roster for the game at Wolfbrook Arena on Monday by Shea Ili and Carter Hopoi.
Ili is no stranger to the Tall Blacks environment of course, the experienced point guard was left out of the original touring party for the games against Philippines and Chinese Taipei as he and wife Morgan were expecting their third child.
The two are delighted to have welcomed a baby girl to the family and Ili will be flying into Christchurch on Saturday night to join his teammates in preparation for the Chinese Taipei challenge, one that is now even more important following last night’s close defeat to Philippines in Manila.
Hopoi is the latest to come off the Basketball New Zealand player pathway, the 18-year-old 6’9” big played for the Junior Tall Blacks at the recent U18 Asia Cup in the middle east, his promotion to the Tall Blacks environment for the first time caps a whirlwind year for the Whai and Mount Maunganui College player.
Hopoi posted some great numbers at that tournament averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds as New Zealand won silver behind Australia.
He is not the youngest in the group for Christchurch however, as he joins 17-year-old Oscar Goodman in the roster, highlighting the depth of talent emerging for the Tall Blacks in the coming years.
Get tickets now for Tall Blacks vs Chinese Taipei; 7pm, Monday 25 November at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch: Tall Black TICKETS
Tall Blacks Roster to play FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
Taylor Britt, Guard, Canterbury Rams, 28 years old, 28 games for New Zealand
Corey Webster, Guard, Auckland Tuatara, 35, 98 games, Captain
Kaia Isaac, Guard, BNZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 0 games
Flyn Cameron, Guard, Melbourne United/Taranaki Airs, 24, 27 games
Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Guard, Sydney Kings/Wellington Saints, 27, 26 games
Walter Brown, Guard/Forward, Tasmania Jackjumpers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 15 games
Hyrum Harris, Forward, Perth Wildcats/Wellington Saints, 28, 18 games
Tom Vodanovich, Forward, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix/Auckland Tuatara, 30, 15 games
Oscar Goodman, Forward, NBA Global Academy/New Plymouth Boys, 17, 0 games
Sam Waardenburg, Centre/Forward, Cairns Taipans, 25, 2 games
Shea Ili, Point Guard, Melbourne United, 32, 55 games
Carter Hopoi, Forward, Whai & Mt Maunganui College, 18, 0 games
Judd Flavell Head Coach
Michael Fitchett Asst Coach
Aaron Young Asst Coach
Logan Poloai Doctor
Steve McAdam Physiotherapist
Paul Minehan Massage Therapist/Logistics
Dave Wildash Manager
Tall Blacks Schedule – Asia Cup Qualifiers 2025
22 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (away): WON 89-69
25 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Hong Kong (Auckland): WON 88-49
21 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Philippines (away) LOST 89-93
25 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (Christchurch): 7pm, Wolfbrook Arena, live on TVNZ +
20 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Hong Kong (away)
23 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Philippines (New Zealand)
5-17 Aug 2025 – FIBA Asia Cup 2025 (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
