It’s another settled New Zealand U23 3×3 line up that’ll take to the floor at the FIBA U23 3×3 World Cup in Wuhan this week.
The playing squad features three members of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games team in Josh Book, Te Tuhi Lewis and Christian Martin. After an impressive campaign throughout the FIBA U23 3×3 Nations League, Zion Anderson comes into the fold with plenty of talent and excitement to boot.
The squad was dominant during U23 Youth Nations League campaign, winning five of the six stops for a total record of 17-1 throughout the week in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Their #2pointnation nickname in full flight throughout the week, knocking down an insane 78 two pointers across the 6 stops (averaging 13 2PM per stop).
Basketball New Zealand’s 3×3 High Performance Manager, Nikolay Mikhailchuk, stoked with the group’s form ahead of this important tournament, one which has been circled on the 3×3 calendar for some time now.
“I’m incredibly pleased with the way this group has performed this season. They dominated their Asian conference, winning 17 of 18 games, and showed a really mature and confident style of 3×3 basketball.”
“For our programme, the U23 World Cup is a pinnacle event. This group has put itself in a position where we genuinely believe they can compete with anyone and challenge for medals.”
Few squads at this year’s U23 World Cup will have more experience than the Kiwi’s, who have created what some would say is an unbreakable bond. The trio of Book, Lewis and Martin have been mainstays in the 3×3 Tall Blacks and other New Zealand national teams for a couple of years now. Their regular 3×3 teammate and the glue guy to the sharpshooting trio, isn’t missing out on the action however.
Whilst Aidan ‘The General’ Tonge will not suit up on the court for the U23 Men, he is handed the clipboard and will take the mantle as coach for this campaign.
“I’ve also been really proud to see Aidan’s growth this season, not only as a player but as a coach. It’s very exciting to see him continue to contribute to this group as a coach, and it’s been impressive to him really making the most of this opportunity” says Mikhailchuk.
The Kiwi’s are in Pool B at the World Cup, where on Wednesday they’ll take on the Philippines before the tough task of taking on European 3×3 powerhouses, Latvia. The team then takes a break, as is back to play Spain and Egypt on Friday.
With an opportunity to show New Zealand’s #2pointnation style of play off to the world, there’s every chance this group can go all the way in Wuhan.
“I can’t wait to see them perform on the world stage. They represent the future of our programme and are one of the most prepared and experienced 3×3 teams we’ve sent away to represent New Zealand.”
The FIBA U23 3×3 World Cup tips off tomorrow, and is live and free to watch on the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.
New Zealand U23 3×3 Men for the FIBA U23 World Cup:
Zion Anderson
Josh Book
Te Tuhi Lewis
Christian Martin
Reserves:
Dane Bertinshaw
Nic Book
Coach: Aidan Tonge
Manager: Brent Lay
Physio: Joe Zhang
Schedule (all times are in NZT)
Wednesday 16th September
v Philippines, 2:50pm
v Latvia, 5:20pm
Friday 18th September
v Spain, 2:50pm
v Egypt, 5:45pm
