With the New Zealand team finishing fifth at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Czechia, Basketball New Zealand are celebrating a hattrick of age-group international successes over the past three years.
In 2024 the U17 Men celebrated New Zealand’s highest ever finish at a FIBA age-group World Cup with a fourth place finish in Turkey and in 2025 that finish was matched by the U19 Men’s side that placed fourth at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.
Now the New Zealand U17 Women’s team have written another page in the New Zealand basketball history annals by recording the highest ever finish by a New Zealand Women’s team at a FIBA World Cup Tournament.
Basketball New Zealand’s CEO Belinda Edwards said the achievement was a significant moment for the sport in Aotearoa.
“This team has shown what is possible when talented young wāhine commit to a shared vision and grow together over time. To finish fifth in the world is an incredible achievement and a result that speaks volumes about the future of women’s basketball in New Zealand.
“We’re incredibly proud of the players, coaches, and support staff whose commitment, belief, and hard work made this possible. They represented Aotearoa with pride.”
Finishing with a 5-2 record the Kiwis only losses at the tournament were to European heavyweights Spain, who finished runners-up to USA, and Canada who were beaten semi-finalists.
All twelve players featured in the success of the team although some individual performances stood out with none more so than Emilia Ainley.
The Canterbury centre led the team in scoring (11.9ppg) and rebounding (10.3rpg).
She ranked first at the tournament in field goal shooting at 56.9% and was third overall in rebounding to emphasise her efficiency.
Harbour forward Imani Rasmussen was second behind Ainley in both scoring (11.4ppg) and rebounding (8.0rpg) – her rebounding count placing her 8th overall.
Sienna Maurice averaged a team high 4.3 assists per outing – 6th overall in Czechia.
In what is likely a first the New Zealand team topped the 3-point shooting count at the tournament with a 30.6% success rate and with three players ranked in the top-10.
Ava Jones was third (12 from 29 at 41.4%), Charis Broughton was 6th (16 from 42 at 38.1%) and Areta Kahura 7th (7 from 19 at 36.8%).
The team played an exciting brand of up tempo basketball and much credit for their performances must go the way of head coach Liam Connelly and his assistants Darci Finnigan and Aled Jones.
Micaela Cocks, the Tall Ferns all-time most capped player summed up the feelings of many New Zealand basketball fans when commenting on social media.
‘This group is so much fun to watch. (They display) high basketball IQ, relentless defence and they play so hard for each other.’
New Zealand U17 Women’s Squad:
Emilia Ainley (Canterbury/St Andrew’s College)
Charis Broughton (Tauranga/Mt Maunganui College)
Shamar Broughton (Tauranga/Mt Maunganui College)
Elisa Brown (Casey Cavaliers)
Madelin Eliadis (Melbourne Tigers)
Sinai Foai (Logan Thunder)
Ava Jones(Canterbury/St Andrew’s College)
Areta Kahura (Tauranga/Tauranga Girls College)
Sienna Maurice (Harbour/Rangitoto College)
Katie Moors (Harbour/Westlake Girls High)
Imani Rasmussen (Harbour/Westlake Girls High)
Nahala Toeleiu (Wellington/Queen Margaret College)
Head Coach – Liam Connelly
Assistant Coach – Darci Finnigan
Assistant Coach – Aled Jones
