The Tall Blacks have signalled the start of a new era this morning, with the naming of Judd Flavell as Head Coach of the New Zealand men’s basketball national team.
Flavell is already a familiar part of the Tall Blacks programme as both a player and coach, having worn the black jersey for 38 games from 1999-2002; including the 2002 FIBA World Championships where he helped lead New Zealand to a memorable fourth-place finish.
After turning to coaching, Judd spent 13 seasons as an assistant with the NZ Breakers in the Australian NBL – winning four championships during a five-year stretch – before joining the South East Melbourne Phoenix as an assistant for three seasons.
He has also served as head coach for the New Zealand men’s U18 team (2013), as Junior Tall Blacks assistant coach in 2014 and as Tall Blacks assistant coach in 2020.
At the domestic level, Judd has also enjoyed head coaching success in the NZ NBL; winning a title with the Auckland Pirates in 2012, with Southland Sharks in 2018 and more recently earning back-to-back titles with the Canterbury Rams (2023 and 2024). His most recent title saw the Rams finish with a league-best 17-3 record – including a 16-game winning streak – with Flavell named Sal’s NBL Coach of the Year.
Now regarded as one of the New Zealand’s most successful basketball coaches, Flavell joins a Tall Blacks programme ranked 22nd in the world; with the squad finishing third overall at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup and in 22nd place at last year’s FIBA World Cup.
Flavell says that it’s an honour to take over the reins of the New Zealand men’s basketball national team.
“There’s a lot of emotions that came up for me, because I feel so passionate about the black singlet, about the Tall Blacks, what we’ve done and achieved on the international stage in the past,” says Flavell.
“And also seeing where we are currently at with the programme; you can’t help but get excited looking ahead at the pool of talent that we have coming through with the youngsters.
“For me it’s been a long journey, coming from being part of the Tall Blacks programme as a player – growing up and having that dream of putting on the black singlet – and then being involved in some of our finer moments in 2001/02, then being an assistant coach. I feel really feel privileged and honoured to be given this responsibility.”
Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) CEO, Dillon Boucher says that Flavell has the right mix of character and experience to help lead this Tall Blacks side to success in the coming cycle.
“Judd has played at the highest level with the Tall Blacks and now gets to lead them as Head Coach. His passion for the jersey and for New Zealand basketball is as high as you can get,” says Boucher.
“He has enjoyed recent success with back-to-back titles with the Rams in the Sal’s NBL, and knowing what Judd is capable of I’m excited to watch him lead this exciting group of players we have right now.”
Tu Kaha And Team Culture
Flavell says that team culture – particularly Tu Kaha – will continue to play an important role in the team identity going forward.
“I think our culture is what makes us unique as a nation compared to other international teams, the Tall Blacks culture is something we’ve been known for – Tu Haka and our innovative style of basketball – and it means we’ve always had to think a little outside the box in regards to the way we do things; because we’re unique in our skillsets, our personnel, the way that we play.
“And that goes deep into our heritage, and the way that our players feel excited to put on that black singlet for their country; I’ve had the honour of putting on that singlet myself so I want to make sure during my tenure that we’re doubling down on that as much as we can.
“Our culture defines us and it should be front and centre of what we do – it’s our core – and all the X’s and 0’s and on-court strategy comes after that.”
Flavell believes that part of a great team culture is recognising those involved in the programme over the years.
“Every Tall Blacks player and coach has each had a part to play in developing the Tall Blacks culture, each adding their own flavour over the years, and it’s really great to see the growth we’ve had. I feel honoured when I think of people in the past; even as a kid, watching players like Stan Hill and Glen Denham, guys that were legends of their time – Tu Kaha is about acknowledging the past and I feel passionate about that.
“Having all those people behind you and around you, with the Tall Blacks being what connects you together, that’ll be there forever – we’re custodians of this culture and we’ve all played a part.”
FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers In November
Flavell’s first challenge as Tall Blacks head coach will come in November, when New Zealand faces the Philippines and Chinese Taipei in a home and away FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier series.
Although Judd is Auckland-based, he has spent a lot of his working time in Christchurch with the Canterbury Rams. He says that having his first Tall Blacks home game as head coach in Christchurch will be a special moment.
“Honestly, when I saw that it could work out that my first home game as Tall Blacks head coach would be in Christchurch [on 25 November], it felt fitting as it’s a region that just loves basketball.
“The Rams gave me an opportunity when they bought me back to New Zealand from Australia to coach, and we’ve had a fun journey over the past few years; we’re achieved some great things and I’ve gotten to work with some amazing people and players – in front of some amazing fans.
“It’s my home away from home and it’ll be very cool to coach the Tall Blacks there next month.”
An Exciting Future
Flavell says he is buoyed by the combination of veteran talent and young athletes available to the programme over the next cycle.
“We’re where at with New Zealand basketball, in the last window we’ve gained so much experience. We have a depth of talent that has played a lot of meaningful games and that’s important – because that experience is something we used to struggle with years ago; but now we have a pool of world-class levels at every position who we can call upon.
“We still have work to do but I like the direction we’ve been going in, and the constant improvement of our players. I feel like the best of the Tall Blacks is yet to come, so my focus is for this team to push its boundaries and reach new heights – I get excited by that.
“As Kiwis we step into every single game thinking we can win – of course we like to hold on to our underdog status, but every one of us believes we can beat anybody, and that’s a cool attitude to have.
“And over the past 20 years we’ve had our moment on the world stage, knocking off some top-level teams when no-one expected us to. Our challenge is to go from putting in one great performance – like we did against Croatia [at the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in July] – and backing that up into wins in the next game and the next. The more experience and self-belief we have, the better.
“And that comes back to the preparation work we do and the way we play together – we have to work harder than everybody else, and we have to play smarter than everybody else.”
The Tall Blacks will next play in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, taking on the Philippines away on 22 November, then returning home to Christchurch to face Chinese Taipei on 25 November.
