With the Second Round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers now underway, the Tall Blacks take on Saudi Arabia tomorrow morning (4.15am) in Dammam.
In the First Round of the qualifiers, New Zealand went unbeaten in all four of their games – one of only two countries to achieve this feat alongside Australia – finishing first in their pool and winning by an average of 40 points over the first three windows.
With the Second Found of the qualifiers reduced down to 12 teams, the Kiwis will now compete over the three remaining windows from August 2022 to February 2023, against the likes of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Philippines and India.
New Zealand’s goal: to finish in the top 6 and qualify for next year’s FIBA World Cup, the pinnacle basketball event of 2023.
Coach Pero Cameron has named an experienced 10-man squad for this game, led by veterans Isaac Fotu, Tohi Smith-Milner, Reuben Te Rangi, Shea Ili, Jordan Ngatai, Ethan Rusbatch and Sam Timmins. Smith-Milner comes into this game branded as the ‘Asia Cup Hero’ – after his 25-point effort against Jordan helped secure bronze for the Tall Blacks – while Fotu joins the squad for the first time since 2019.
The vets will be supported by Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa – playing in his first Tall Blacks game since 2013 – and youngsters Benjamin Gold and Nikau McCullough.
Saudi Arabia squeezed into the Second Round after finishing third in their First Round pool with a 3-3 record; surprising many in doing so, given this is their first ever run in the World Cup Qualifiers.
With an average age of 30 years and an average height of 6’3” – with 6’9” centre Mohammed Almarwani the only player on the roster over 6’5” – Saudi Arabia will no doubt struggle against the taller, younger Kiwi side. They’ll rely on their point guard Marzouq Almuwallad and forward Mathna Almarwani to generate their offense, but will miss the presence of centre Mohammed Alsuwailem; the 24 year old averaging a double-double across his previous WCQ games this year.
In facing Saudi Arabia for the first time, the Tall Blacks won’t be going into this game thinking that an easy win is at hand. Despite Saudi Arabia going winless at the recent Asia Cup, they will look to put on a good performance in their first game in Dammam – with the home crowd on their side.
The Tall Blacks take on Saudi Arabia in Dammam, at 4.15am NZT on Fri 26 August, with the game screened live on Spark Sport.
Following this the Tall Blacks return to New Zealand for their next World Cup Qualifier game, taking on Jordan at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium on Mon 29 August. Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/yncnf83n
Tall Blacks squad (26 August 2022)
Ben Gold, Marquette University
Ethan Rusbatch, Hawkes Bay Hawks
Isaac Fotu, Utsunomiya Brex
Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa, NZ Breakers
Jordan Ngatai, Wellington Saints
Nikau McCullough, Otago Nuggets
Reuben Te Rangi, South East Melbourne Phoenix
Sam Timmins, NZ Breakers / Otago Nuggets
Shea Ili, Melbourne United / Sandringham Sabres
Tohi Smith-Milner, South East Melbourne Phoenix / Sandringham Sabres
Head Coach – Pero Cameron
Assistant Coach – Ross McMains
Assistant Coach – Zico Coronel
Assistant Coach – Michael Fitchett
Saudi Arabia squad (26 August 2022)
Mohammed Almarwani
Marzouq Almuwallad
Mathna Almarwani
Mohammed Alsager
Fahad Belal
Khalid Abdel Gabar
Naif Althalabi
Ayoub Alhawsawi
Nassir Abo Jalas
Ali Shubayli
Osama Albargawi
Musab Kadi
Head Coach – Jan Pytlick
