The Women’s NCAA Division 1 class of 2026-27 totals a record 40 players thus surpassing the previous high of 37 players achieved last year.
It was as recently as 2015-16 that the 20+ mark was reached on the first occasion, we have therefore witnessed 100% growth in player numbers in a dozen years.
The class of 2026-27 includes nine players already capped by the 2degrees Tall Ferns –
Ella Brow, Florence Dallow, Pania Davis, Bailey Flavell, Pahlyss Hokianga, Emma Rogers, Ritorya Tamilo, Lilly Taulelei, and Lauren Whittaker.
Bailey is one of five players that are daughters of former Tall Blacks with dad Judd Flavell the current Tall Blacks coach and a former New Zealand international player.
The others are Layla-J Cameron (Pero Cameron), Maia Jones (Phill Jones), Portia McLean (Troy McLean), and Gia Vukona (Mika Vukona).
In addition redshirt freshman Tannika Leger-Walker is the daughter of Olympian Leanne Walker Walker and the younger sister of 2degrees Tall Ferns Charlisse and Krystal Leger-Walker.
Last season we had the thrill of watching Charlisse and the UCLA Bruins winning the 2026 NCAA Championship. Which players will set the pulse racing in this campaign?
*Note this list is of players known at the time of writing. It’s possible there may be some players absent from this list with players often moving, or travelling to the USA without publicising their plans, or may yet to be announced by teams.
FRESHMEN
Olivia Hastings (Butler University)
Begins her collegiate career after impressing in NBL1 for Norths Bears in Sydney.
The 6’3” forward was a New Zealand team member at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. Had a near double-double of 13 points and 9 rebounds against hosts Mexico.
Sophia Hickey (Iona University)
Raised in Melbourne Australia, Hickey played her club basketball for Nunawading Spectres. She completed her high school education at DME Academy in Florida.
Hickey was a New Zealand team member at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup – scored 13 points against Egypt.
Her uncle Rob Hickey is a former Tall Black.
Pahlyss Hokianga (University of Portland)
Ahead of her freshman season Hokianga already has a raft of achievements to her name.
Hokianga became the second youngest Tall Fern to play international basketball (16 years, 122 days) when debuting against China at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in February 2024.
Played all eight games in the Tall Ferns 2025 international campaign – scored a Tall Ferns best 10 points in game one of the three-game Australian series. Has already made 21 appearances for the 2degrees Tall Ferns.
Averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 assists for the New Zealand team at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Mexico.
Played for the Tauihi Aotearoa Championship winning Tauranga Whai team in 2024.
Played for the gold medal winning Tauranga team at the 2025 U20 National Championships – named MVP after dropping 40 points in the Grand Final win against Waikato.
Was the tournament’s leading scorer at the 2025 Secondary Schools National Championships playing for the bronze medal winning Tauranga College team – averaged 33.6ppg and named to the All-Star 5.
Tannika Leger-Walker (University of Nebraska, Omaha)
Having redshirted the 2025-26 season Leger-Walker is about to embark on her college career with the Mavericks.
Played for the silver medal winning Waikato team at the 2025 U20 National Championships – named to the All-Star 5.
Was the second highest scorer at the 2024 Secondary Schools National Championships playing for 4th placed St Peter’s School, Cambridge – averaged 30.1ppg.
Previously played at five FIBA age group tournaments including the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Hungary and the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.
Mother Leanne and sisters Krystal and Charlisse have played for the 2dgrees Tall Ferns.
Portia McLean (Long Island University)
A former Wellington East Girls College standout McLean helped lead the team to an unbeaten run in 2024 culminating in winning the Wellington School’s Sharp Cup and subsequently a trip to the Secondary Schools National Championships.
Completed her high school education at Mt Zion Prep Academy in Maryland.
Father Troy McLean is a former Tall Black.
Taia McMechan (Sacred Heart University)
Raised in Victoria, Australia combo guard McMechan will join fellow kiwi Missy Nuku in the backcourt at Sacred Heart.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2024 U17 FIBA World Cup.
Received All-Star recognition at the 2025 Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp.
Graecyn Parahi (University of California, Riverside)
A Hawkes Bay local, Parahi played for Napier Girls High School before moving north to Tauranga.
Played for the Tauihi Aotearoa Championship winning Tauranga Whai team in 2025.
Averaged 19.7 points per game for the Tauranga Girls College bronze medal winning team at the 2025 Secondary Schools National Championships.
Played for the gold medal winning Tauranga team at the 2025 U20 National Championships – scored 18 points in the Grand Final win against Waikato.
Averaged 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds for the New Zealand team at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Mexico.
Emma Rogers (Fairfield University)
Debuted for the Tall Ferns against Spain at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico playing three games.
Played for the Tauihi Aotearoa Championship winning Tauranga Whai team in 2025 and for runners-up Mainland Pouākai in 2025.
Played for the gold medal winning Tauranga team at the 2025 U20 National Championships – named to the All-Star 5. Scored 26 points in the Grand Final win against Waikato.
Played alongside sister Emma for the Aquinas College team that finished runners-up in the A Secondary Schools National Championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Was the leading scorer (34.3ppg) and All-Star Five member at the 2024 champs.
Zenthia Stowers (Marshall University)
Having redshirted the 2025-26 season Stowers is about to embark on her college career with the Big Green.
Played on the Westlake Girls High School teams that won both the 2023 and 2024 Secondary Schools National Tournament. Scored 18 points in the 2024 Grand Final win against St Andrew’s College.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup in China.
Her early school years were spent in Sydney before attending Takapuna Grammar School in Year 11 and Westlake Girls for her final two years of high school.
Gia Vukona (Idaho State University)
Spent her early years in Auckland before the family moved to Queensland.
Won back to back Australian High Schools National Championships with Brisbane State High School.
Will link up with fellow kiwi Lilly Parke at Idaho State.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2026 U18 FIBA Asia Cup.
Daughter of Tall Black great Mika Vukona.
Kodee Williams-Sefo (Xavier University)
Having redshirted the 2025-26 season Williams-Sefo is about to embark on her college career with the Musketeers.
Played on the Westlake Girls High School teams that won both the 2023 and 2024 Secondary Schools National Championships.
Named to the Tournament Team in both years and additionally in 2024 named Tournament MVP – amassed 24 points and 13 rebounds in the 2024 Grand Final win against St Andrew’s College, Christchurch.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Mexico. She was New Zealand’s leading rebounder averaging 7.6 boards per game – scored 13 points against Mexico.
An attendee at the prestigious Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp in Perth in September 2024.
SOPHOMORES
Theresa Biladi (Fairleigh Dickinson University)
Linked up with FDU Knights in the second half of the 2025-26 season but yet to make her debut.
Led Hamilton Girls High School to the 2025 Secondary Schools National Championships Grand Final – averaged a team high 18.4 points per game.
Bailey Flavell (University of Hawaii)
Enjoyed an outstanding first year at Hawaii winning the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year Award. Set the programme record for most points (415) scored in a season by a Freshman and led the team in scoring averaging 12.6ppg.
Made her Tall Ferns debut as a 17 year-old at the 2024 FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier tournament. Debuted against Montenegro and scored with her first shot – a three. Has subsequently played 13 games for the senior national side.
At the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Mexico finished the tournament as the third highest scorer overall averaging 18.9ppg.
The Takapuna Grammar School product was a two-time leading scorer at the Secondary Schools National Championships in 2023 (34.3ppg) and 2024 (39.4ppg).
Playing for North Harbour, Flavell was named to the All-Star Five after leading the scoring at the 2024 Women’s U20 National Championship Tournament in Rangiora – averaged 25.3ppg.
Father Judd Flavell, a former Tall Black, is the current head coach of the men’s national team.
Stats GP 33 GS 33 Points 415
Katie Harrington (University of Wyoming)
Had few opportunities in her Freshman year playing just 11 games for the Cowgirls.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2023 U17 Oceania Championships in Port Moresby.
Played her junior basketball for Nunawading Spectres in Melbourne.
Stats GP 11 GS 0 Points 2
Anika Hyland (Stephen F Austin State University)
Played 31 games in her Freshman year – scored a season high 14 points against Arkansas – as the Ladyjacks claimed the Southland Conference title.
Captained the New Zealand team that won the 2025 U21 3×3 FIBA Nations League.
A member of the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Aotearoa Championship winning Tauranga Whai team in 2024.
Played for the Tauranga representative team that finished runners-up at the 2024 U20 National Championships – averaged 16.8ppg. Scored 19 points in the Grand Final against Canterbury.
Stats GP 31 GS 0 Points 105
Evie Leeson (Utah Valley University)
Played 10 games as a Freshman for the Wolverines – scored a season high 12 points against La Sierra.
The former St Margaret’s College and Canterbury Basketball representative redshirted the 2024-25 season at Alaska Anchorage University prior to her transfer to Utah Valley.
Played all five games for New Zealand at the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup in China – averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Named to the All-Star Five at the 2024 U20 National Championships helping Canterbury claim the title.
Also rowed for St Margaret’s College at the prestigious Maadi Cup.
Stats GP 10 GS 0 Points 15
Amy Pateman (University of California, Riverside)
After limited opportunities during her freshman year at the University of San Francisco, Pateman has transferred to the University of California, Riverside.
Played 16 games at San Francisco – scored a season high 9 points against Cal State Monterey Bay.
Played on three Westlake Girls High School’s Secondary Schools National Championship winning teams in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Played on the New Zealand team at both the 2022 FIBA Asian Championship and the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Hungary.
Named to the All-Star Team at the NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp in Dubai, May 2023.
Stats GP 16 GS 0 Points 26
Ophelia Powell (University of Wyoming)
Made 21 appearances off the bench in her Freshman season at California State University Bakersfield but has transferred to the University of Wyoming, where she will link up with fellow kiwi Katie Harrington.
A medallist on the Canterbury teams that won bronze at both the 2024 Foot Locker U18 National Championships and the 2025 Foot Locker U20 National Championships. Named to the Tournament Team at the ’24 Foot Locker U18 Nationals.
Played on the St Andrew’s College team that went unbeaten against South Island teams for three years (2022-24). Were Secondary Schools National Championship runners-up in all three years.
In addition was Canterbury Schools Whelan Cup MVP in 2024.
Stats GP 16 GS 0 Points 15
Ashlyn Rean (Fresno State University)
Made a terrific start to the 2025-26 season averaging 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds across six games before being forced to sit out the remainder of the season due to injury. Scored 28 points against CSU Bakersfield.
Prior to Fresno State played her Freshman season at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (NCAA Division II)
The Rangiora High School and Canterbury representative was the leading scorer at the 2023 U19 National Championships.
Named to the All-Star Five at the 2024 Foot Locker U20 National Championships helping Canterbury claim the title.
Played for New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Hungary.
Stats GP 6 GS 5 Points 76
Lauren Whittaker (Gonzaga University)
The St Andrew’s College alumni made a sensational start to her collegiate career setting all manner of records.
After redshirting the 2025-26 season as she recovered from injury the 6’3” (191cm) forward garnered a record thirteen West Coast Conference (WCC) Freshman of the Week Awards and went on to become just the second player in WCC history to take out the Freshman of the Year Award and Player of the Year Award after averaging a staggering 19.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
Scoring a season high 37 points at Oregon State, Whittaker not only led the Zags in scoring and rebounding but also the whole 12-team West Coast Conference.
Amongst approximately 1,000 active Division I female freshmen she was second in scoring and third in rebounding!
Playing all 34 of the Zags games Whittaker started on every occasion accumulating a team high 649 points and 348 rebounds.
Made her 2degrees Tall Ferns debut in February 2024 against China at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Played all three games at the tournament averaging 5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Has made 10 appearances for the senior national team.
Played 5 games for Mainland Pouākai in the 2023 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Aotearoa league – averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Named MVP at the 2023 U19 National Championship after leading Canterbury to the title.
Named to the Tournament Team at the 2023 Secondary Schools National Championships where St Andrew’s College finished runners-up.
She is the third member of her family to play NCAA Division I basketball following sister Charlotte (University of Colorado) and brother Mason (American University).
Stats GP 34 GS 34 Points 649
JUNIORS
Florence Dallow (University of Portland)
Enjoyed a strong season in 2025-26 starting all 34 games for the Portland Pilots. She led the team in rebounding (5.4rpg) and was second in scoring (9.9ppg). Scored a career high 18 points on two occasions.
Made her 2degrees Tall Ferns debut against Argentina – played all four games at the 2026 FIBA Olympic Pre Qualifying Tournament in Mexico.
Played for New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA U18 Asian Championship in India – averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds per game. The former Epsom Girls Grammar School wing played her representative basketball for North Harbour.
Stats GP 55 GS 34 Points 418
Summer Faleafa (University of Louisiana Monroe)
Begins her Division I career after playing 58 games (all starts) during her two years at North Idaho College. Averaged 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 2025-26, with double figure scoring in 16 of 28 games.
A standout forward for Auckland Basketball and Baradene College during her junior career playing alongside Ritorya Tamilo.
Following high school played the 2024 Australian NBL1 season with Maitland Mustangs.
Olivia Lassey (Manhattan University)
The former Tauranga and Mt Maunganui standout embarks on her Division I career after playing two years at Collin College where she started all 58 games played.
A member of the New Zealand Team that contested the 2024 FIBA Asia Cup in China – scored 10 points against Chinese Taipei.
Represented New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Played for the Tauranga team that finished runners-up at the 2024 U20 National Championships – Named to the All-Star Five.
Rebecca Moors (University of Hawaii)
Played 31 games with 12 starts for Hawaii in in 2025-26 – scored a season high 7 points against California State Fullerton.
Moors led the New Zealand scoring (9.4ppg) and rebounding (6.8rpg) at the 2024 FIBA Asia Cup in China.
She was also a key member of the New Zealand team that won silver at the 2023 FIBA Oceania Championships in Papua New Guinea – averaged 10 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Played for the Westlake Girls High School team that won back-to-back Secondary Schools National Championships in 2022 and 2023 – named MVP at the 2023 Tournament.
Brother James graduated from Colorado State University in 2023 while sister Jess graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2026.
Stats GP 57 GS 12 Points 80
Shawnessy Nordstrom (Loyola Marymount University)
Following two years at California Baptist University Nordstrom has transferred to Loyola Marymount University.
In 2025-26 helped Cal Baptist win the Western Athletic Conference before going on to lose to Charlisse Leger-Walker and UCLA at the NCAA Tournament. Played all 34 games, scoring a career high 21 points, on seven made threes, at Utah Valley.
Nordstrom played for New Zealand at the 2024 FIBA Asia Cup in China where she averaged 7.8 points and 1.5 assists per game.
Named MVP at the 2019 U15 National Championship after guiding Waikato to the title.
Then headed to Utah to complete her school education at Lone Peak High School. An All-State Player of the Year in 2022-23 she scored over 1,000 points in her four years at Lone Peak with the school winning three state championships.
Stats GP 51 GS 26 Points 400
Izzy Pugh (Wisconsin Milwaukee University)
Missed a good portion of mid-season due to injury in 2025-26. Played 22 games in total scoring a season best 11 points against Green Bay.
As a freshman saw playing time in 30 of the team’s 32 games. Shot a team best 48% (49/103) and scored a season high 14 points against Carroll University.
Played for New Zealand Select at the 2024 BLIA Cup in Taiwan.
Top scored in the Grand Final with 27 points as Westlake Girls High defeated St Andrew’s College to win the 2022 Secondary Schools National Championship – named to the Tournament Team. Played representative basketball for Hibiscus Coast and Harbour Basketball.
Stats GP 52 GS 1 Points 204
Hannah Richardson (Lipscomb University)
Appeared in 30 games for Lipscomb in 2025-26 – scored a career high 16 points against West Georgia.
Made 26 appearances, for St Bonaventure University in her freshman year – scored a season high 13 points against George Washington.
Playing alongside twin sister Zoe she was a member of the Westlake Girls High School team that won the 2022 Secondary Schools National Championship. Then headed to Hoosac Valley High School in Hoosick, New York to complete her high school education.
Played on the Harbour team that claimed a bronze medal at the 2022 U17 National Championship.
Stats GP 56 GS 27 Points 302
Zoe Richardson (University of South Carolina – Upstate)
Appeared in all 32 games for South Carolina Upstate in 2025-26 scoring a season high 11 points at Radford and 10 rebounds against Montreat.
Made 14 appearances, with 2 starts, for Sienna College in her freshman year.
Playing alongside twin sister Hannah she was a member of the Westlake Girls High School team that won the 2022 Secondary Schools National Championship. Then headed to Hoosac Valley High School in Hoosick, New York to complete high school education.
Played on the New Zealand team at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Playing for North Harbour, named to the Tournament Team at the 2022 U17 National Championships.
Stats GP 44 GS 2 Points 94
Laura Ring (Manhattan University)
The former St Hilda’s’ College and Otago forward will make her Division I debut at Manhattan University.
Played 48 games, with 47 starts, at Central Wyoming College prior to Manhattan. Across the two years she averaged 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Playing for Otago, Ring was named to the Tournament Team at the 2022 U17 National championships – as was her Manhattan teammate Olivia Lassey.
Ritorya Tamilo (University of Hawaii)
Was named Big West Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2025-26. Led Hawaii in field-goal percentage (52%) and blocks (48). Equaled her career high with 16 points against Portland.
Named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2024-25. Averaged 7.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and also set a programme record by a freshman of 41 blocked shots – the previous record of 33 was set in 1984.
Played all five games for the 2degrees Tall Ferns at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in China and has made ten appearances in total.
Debuted for Northern Kāhu in the 2023 Tauihi Aotearoa while still at Baradene College. Then went on to play for Bendigo Spirit as a Development player in the 2023-24 Australian NBL season.
At the 2023 U17 World Cup in Hungary she finished as the tournaments leading shot blocker averaging 3.1 blocks per game. The 192cm centre was also the team’s leading rebounder claiming 7.9 boards per game while also scoring 6.4 points per game.
Stats GP 62 GS 33 Points 293
Lilly Taulelei (Rice University)
Following a freshman season at the University of Massachusetts and two years at Iowa State the Wellingtonian forward has transferred to Rice University.
Her career high mark of 14 points was scored against Dayton in her freshman year.
Debuted for the Tall Ferns on their tour of Australia in 2022. Played all 5 games on the 2degrees Tall Ferns tour of Europe in June 2023 and has made 10 appearances in total.
Played for the NZ U17 National Team at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in Jordan and the 2022 FIBA World Cup in Hungary. Averaged 7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 13 games across the two tournaments.
A member of the Tokomanawa Queens team that won the inaugural G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Aotearoa Championship in 2022.
Stats GP 74 GS 22 Points 287
SENIORS
Ella Brow (Baylor University)
After transferring to Baylor University from Southern Methodist University, Brow was restricted to just six appearances in 2025-26 due to injury.
Has six international caps after debuting for the Tall Ferns against Australia in 2025 in the Trans-Tasman series. At the 2026 Pre Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, scored 14 points against Argentina.
Named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team after averaging 4.6 points and 2.7 assists in the 2022-23 season.
Due to injury played just 14 games in the 2024-25 season – scored a season high 14 points against East Carolina in January 2025.
Educated in Queensland where she attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.
Career GP 52 GS 12 Points 216
Ivy Brown (Fresno State University)
Played the 2025-26 season at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley making 11 starts in 25 appearances. Totalled 172 points and 104 rebounds.
Links up with fellow Cantabrian Ashlyn Rean at Fresno State.
Joined UTRGV after playing two years junior college at Florida Southwestern State. In the 2024-25 season Florida Southwestern had a successful run to the Sweet Sixteen at the NJCAA National Championships. Brown averaged 10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists as she was named to the Citrus Conference All-Second Team.
In 2022 played for New Zealand at both the FIBA U16 Asian Championship and the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Sister of Tall Black Walter Brown.
Career GP 25 GS 11 Points 172
Layla-J Cameron (University of Central Arkansas)
Played two years at Dodge City Community College before embarking on her NCAA Division 1 career at the University of Tulsa in 2025-26 where she made 28 appearances for the Hurricanes.
Led Dodge City to the Final Four of the Junior College Division I National Championship.
Cameron earned Second-Team All-American honours after averaging 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Shooting 86.4% she ranked fourth in the NJCAA in free-throw shooting percentage.
Played for New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Hungary.
Cameron is a former Hillcrest Christian College and Queensland representative.
Father Pero Cameron is a former Tall Blacks player and coach. Older brothers Tobias and Flynn have also played for the Tall Blacks.
Career GP 28 GS 0 Points 98
Mackenzie Chatfield (Washington State University)
Made 31 starts in 34 appearances for Washington State in 2025-26. Led the team with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.7 tallying 112 assists for the season. An 88% free-throw shooter she made 37 from 42 from the foul line.
Prior to Washington State played two years at Western Kentucky University.
In the 2024-25 season scored a career high 20 points against Tennessee State.
Captained Westlake Girls High School to the 2022 Secondary Schools National Championship title – named Tournament MVP.
Played for New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA U18 Asian Championship in India where she led the team in rebounding (8.4rpg) and was second in assists (5.4apg).
Stats GP 86 GS 39 Points 353
Pania Davis (University of Southern California)
It’s been a steady climb for Davis to land with top-five ranked team University of Southern California for the upcoming season.
She started in junior college, setting a single-season record for blocks in her two years at New Mexico.
In 2025-26 with Florida State, in Division I, she started in 28 of her 31 games and leading the team in rebounds (5.7) and blocks (1.0) per game.
Prior to her collegiate career played for Rockingham Flames in NBL1 West.
The 6’6” Western Australia raised centre debuted for the 2degrees Tall Ferns on the 2022 Australian tour.
Stats GP 31 GS 28 Points 240
Maia Jones (Santa Clara University)
After 2 years and 60 appearances at St Mary’s College, California Jones transferred to Santa Clara University where she enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 season.
Started all 34 games and was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team after averaging a team high 15 points per game. Scored a season high 29 points against San Francisco – had nine 20-point games in the season.
Already with 1,075 career points Jones sits comfortably inside the New Zealand all-time top 20 for career points in Women’s NCAA Division I basketball.
Led St Mary’s in scoring in 2024-25 averaging 12.2 points per game and scored a career high 31 points against Pepperdine.
Jones led the New Zealand scoring at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup averaging 9.4 points per game.
Debuted for Mainland Pouākai in the 2022 G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Aotearoa season and in the same year captained Waimea College at the Secondary Schools National Championships where she was named to the Tournament Team after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Father Phill and brother Hayden are Tall Blacks internationals.
Stats GP 93 GS 65 Points 1,075
Hineaupounamu “Missy” Nuku (Sacred Heart University)
In the 2025-26 season led Sacred Heart in assists averaging 2.4 per game – finished three games with five or more assists.
Prior to Sacred Heart, Nuku enjoyed a pair of standout years in Canada at Lakeland College.
In the 2023-24 season Nuku was named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Year after Lakeland College Rustlers claimed the Canadian Universities National title.
The Rustlers finished the season unbeaten with 26 wins as they added the National Championship to the Alberta Collegiate Athletic Association Conference title. The Tauranga local led the Rustlers in scoring (14.2ppg), assists (5.5apg) and steals (2.8spg).
The former Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana standout, Nuku was MVP at the 2022 U19 National Championships as she led Waikato to the title.
Named to the New Zealand team to play at the 2020 FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Canberra. The event was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
Stats GP 25 GS 1 Points 131
Lilly Parke (Idaho State University)
Having missed all of the 2025-26 season due to injury has chosen to transfer to Idaho State University for her final collegiate year.
In 2025 was a key figure as Fairleigh Dickinson University made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance after the Knights had claimed the Northeast Conference Championship.
Moved to Fairleigh Dickinson after a freshman season at Auburn University at Montgomery (NCAA Division II) and started all 64 games in her two seasons with the Knights. Scored a career high 33 points against Central Connecticut State in January, 2024.
Played for New Zealand Select in their two-game series against the Japan Olympic team in July 2024.
Parke played for New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA U18 Asian Championship in India where she led the team in scoring (8.4ppg) and was second in rebounding (8.2rpg).
Father Andrew Parke is a former Tall Black.
Stats GP 64 GS 64 Points 621
Shorna Preston (Florida International University)
Played last season at Pepperdine University where she started all 34 games. In addition to averaging 7.6 points per game Preston led the team in rebounds (8.4rpg), steals (50) and blocks (39).
The New Zealand born forward played alongside Layla-J Cameron at both Dodge City Community College and before that at Hillcrest Christian College on the Gold Coast where she was coached by Pero Cameron.
Started 67 of 72 games in her two years at Dodge City helping the team to the NJCAA National Championships. Finished her career at Dodge as the all-time leading shot blocker (144), second in career rebounds (593) and third in steals (156).
Stats GP 34 GS 34 Points 258
