Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is excited to announce its return to the FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League later this month, with Men’s and Women’s U23 National Teams set to travel to Kuala Lumpur next week.
The NZ U23 3×3 Women’s squad includes Kate Herman, Anika Hyland, Maia Jones, Dominique Stephens and Maddy Timms, and will be led by Kat Jones. In addition, Mackenzie Chatfield and Carly Ohia have been named as non-travelling Reserves.
Herman, Jones and Timms are all newcomers to the NZ 3×3 national team environment, while Hyland was a travelling reserve with the 3×3 Tall Ferns at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in March. Stephens will put on the black jersey again in 2024, having been part of the 3×3 Tall Ferns setup for the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series in Canada last year.
The NZ U23 3×3 Men’s squad features Josh Book, Daniel Dobson, Zach McKenzie, Campbell Scott and Aidan Tonge, and will be helmed by 3×3 Tall Blacks head coach Piet van Hasselt. In addition, Zach Hannen has been named as a non-travelling Reserve.
Dobson and Tonge are both returnees to the NZ U23 3×3 National Team, having played in the 2023 edition in China; Tonge also a member of the 3×3 Tall Blacks that finished fourth at this year’s FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup. Scott plays for the Manawatu Jets in the Sal’s NBL, while Book will begin his sophomore year at Missouri Western State University later this year. Joining them is the athletic McKenzie, who is currently playing in Australia.
Both squads will participate in the FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League Asia 1 Conference, which sees them playing in six stops over seven days – with a minimum of 12 games played over this time. They will compete in this conference against host Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore.
The U23 3×3 Nations League also serves as a Qualifier event for the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024, to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 11-15 September 2024. To earn a ticket to this pinnacle age group 3×3 event, the NZ U23 National Team must finish first overall in the Asia 1 Conference.
3×3 programmes manager Nikolay Mikhalchuk, says that the FIBA 3×3 Nations League is an important part of BBNZ’s high-performance 3×3 programme.
“I am very excited about our participation in the upcoming FIBA U23 3×3 Nations League in Kuala Lumpur. We had a robust selection process in place, including pre-departure camps, and I am confident in our teams. We have a great mix of solid 3×3 understanding, explosive offense, and renowned defensive intensity,” says Mikhalchuk.
“FIBA3x3 has high hopes for this age group, as it’s ideal for 5×5 players transitioning into the 3×3 space. We are eager to represent our country well and earn a solid foundation of ranking points – not only to qualify for the U23 World Cup but also to help our Senior team rise in the rankings so they can qualify for the Senior World Cups in 2025.”
Mikhalchuk says he is proud to see the continued growth of 3×3 in New Zealand over the past couple of years, in particular the development of young athletes in the 3×3 space.
“I’m looking forward to seeing these players on the world stage, especially those who came all the way from our domestic 3×3 Hubs into the National Team setup. They impressed me at the Selection Camps, and now I am excited to see them go head to head against our international rivals.”
Stop 1 of the FIBA 3×3 U23 Nations League 2024 (Asia 1) begins on 22 July. All games can be watched live on Youtube at www.youtube.com/@FIBA3x3
Follow the teams at https://nationsleague.fiba3x3.com/2024/kuala-lumpur-asia1-stop1/games
New Zealand U23 3×3 National Team – Men’s
Josh Book
Daniel Dobson
Zach McKenzie
Campbell Scott
Aidan Tonge
U23 Men’s Head Coach – Piet Van Hasselt
New Zealand U23 3×3 National Team – Women’s
Kate Herman
Dominique Stephens
Anika Hyland
Maia Jones
Maddy Timms
U23 Women’s Head Coach – Kat Jones
