Canterbury’s Taylor Britt is certainly racking-up the frequent flyer miles.
The Cantabrian, fresh-off some preseason ANBL games with the Perth Wildcats is part of a four-man New Zealand under-23 3×3 team which will compete for the first time at the World Cup this week in China.
The competition is taking place in the city of Lanzhou from October 2 to October 6.
Twenty teams will contest for the cup, which includes the reigning champions and number one ranked Russia.
The Kiwis are ranked 17th and will be in pool A alongside eighth-ranked Slovenia, ninth-ranked Turkey, 16th-ranked Argentina and defending champions Russia.
“It’s all an opportunity, it’s all good,” he said of his recent travel exploits.
“We aren’t sure about the opposition we’ll face but we are confident of our skills as we head over there.”
Britt and Taane Samuel, both found playing time in Sal’s NBL.
The pair could make for a dynamic pick and roll threat, as their skill-sets appear to complement each other well.
Rounding out the group are bigs Samuel Aruwa and Joshua Aitcheson. The Auckland and Otago products bring size and length, while also being adept close to the basket.All four players have donned a black singlet in the five-a-side format, but it will be the first time any of them suits up for their country playing the shortened game.
The New Zealand team is coached by Canterbury Rams assistant, Piet Van Hasselt.
“We’ve all played with and against each other for a number of years so it all clicks pretty well in training,” Britt said.
“We don’t feel pressure being in it for the first time.
“We just want to go over there and prove New Zealand is one of the best basketball nations.
“We have some big bodies inside but all three of us can shoot the three-pointer and that’s clearly going to be important.
“We’ve heard it’s going to be a very physical style of play but that suits us Kiwis just fine.”
New Zealand game times FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in China (NZT)
Wednesday 2 October:
- 8:40pm v Slovenia
- 10pm v Turkey
Friday 4 October:
- 6:30pm v Argentina
- 10:20pm v Russia.
