New Zealand have booked a place at the Men’s U19 World Cup in Czechia next year after securing a top four finish at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Ahmedabad, India.
New Zealand won the 3rd/4th play-off game against Korea 102-97 to secure the bronze medal.
It is the third consecutive U18 Asia Cup tournament that New Zealand has secured a spot on the podium after silver medals in 2018 and 2024. It also continues New Zealand’s recent run of success at FIBA events.
Earlier this year the New Zealand U17 women placed an historic fifth at the U17 World Cup in Czechia
In 2025 the Junior Tall Blacks made history with a fourth place finish at the U19 World Cup in Switzerland, the U15 Men beat Australia in the U17 Oceania Cup Final and the U17 Women claimed silver.
The Kiwis began their campaign in India with victories against Syria (67-58), Bahrain (86-42) and Lebanon (113-62) to top Group B and head directly to the quarter-finals.
Japan were swept aside 94-58 in the quarters before New Zealand were defeated 79-66 in the semi-finals.
After the disappointing semi-final loss Jackson Ball led the way against Korea scoring 29 points.
The 18 year-old Tall Black is already a veteran of two FIBA World Cups having been the ‘baby’ on the 2024 U17 team and the 2025 U19 team. Now in his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin Ball finished the Asia Cup as its third-best scorer with 20.8 points, alongside 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 steals, his performances earning him selection to the All-Star Five.
Fellow starters Aubrey Chunga, Arana Robertson, Cole Hopoi and Phil Wickham were the other main contributors to New Zealand’s success.
Chunga was hugely influential at both ends of the court as he averaged 10.5 points, 2.3 assists and a team high rebounds (7.8) and blocks (1.8). His rebounds ranked him 9th overall at the tournament and his blocks 6th overall.
Fellow Wellingtonian Robertson tallied 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Melbourne based forward Phil Wickham added 6.8 rebounds per contest to 8.3 points while Tauranga wing Cole Hopoi came up with 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Head Coach Josiah Maama and assistants Sonny Tuaputa and Lucas Schnuriger will now start planning the 2027 U19 World Cup campaign.
New Zealand Under 18 team
Cooper Adams (Nelson & Nelson Giants)
Jackson Ball (Hawkes Bay, Bay Hawks & University of Wisconsin)
Aubrey Chunga (Hutt Valley, Hutt International Boys School & Wellington Saints)
Cole Hopoi (Tauranga, Mt Maunganui College & Tauranga Whai)
Hoani Ifopo-Togia (Canterbury & Link Academy, Missouri)
Kingston Kailahi-Aso (Waitakere & Auckland Tuatara)
Josh Kelly (Tauranga, Mt Maunganui College & Tauranga Whai)
Harry Kelso (Franklin, Pukekohe High School & Franklin Bulls)
Arana Robertson (Hutt Valley, St Pat’s Silverstream & Wellington Saints)
Hunter Savill (Waikato, St Johns College & Franklin Bulls)
Cooper Te Ratana (Waitakere & Darrow School in New York State)
Phil Wickham (Geelong, Victoria)
Head Coach – Josiah Maama
Assistant Coach – Sonny Tuaputa
Assistant Coach – Lucas Schnuriger
