PLAYERS NAMED FOR BASKETBALL NEW ZEALAND AGE-GROUP DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Basketball New Zealand has released the lists for the upcoming Basketball New Zealand development camps.

The camps will host rising basketballers in the Under 15 and Under 19 age groups, at Saint Kentigern College. The U19’s camp will be held 11- 13 December; the U15’s camp is on 14 – 16 December.

High Performance Manager Leonard King says this camp is very much focused on development, as opposed to selection based on age-group tournament teams.

“The development camps are an opportunity for young players who show potential to grow into a great player. They might have the size, shape, and some ability, and might not yet be a top player in their age-group just yet, but the potential is there. That’s why these are called  ‘development’ camps.

“The Aon National Championships, for example, are an opportunity for New Zealand’s regional representative teams to compete against the best kids in their respective age group across the country. For many athletes this will be the pinnacle achievement in their basketball journey. Yet our national coaches and selectors are aware that these events are just one part of the identification and selection criteria, and not a key focus for an athlete’s selection for National team representation.

“Ultimately Basketball New Zealand’s High Performance programme has an international focus and the athletes identified by our National selectors are ones that we feel have the attributes to become Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns or 3×3 Senior National team players,” says King.

Participants are eligible for Basketball New Zealand camps if they are registered with member Associations. Associations also have input by providing BBNZ with their list of players they believe meet the following criteria:

• Physical – height, wingspan, positional strength.
• Athletic – quickness, agility, jump, endurance (fitness).
• Six-point skill package – dribble, pass, defend, rebound and shooting under pressure when it matters most, and basketball IQ (“feel” for the game).
• Understands National Style of Play – adaption / versatility.
• Team person – character – has an internal drive to be great and helps teammates be better – always competes!
• Culture – professional behaviour on and off the court. Are they a great ambassador for the sport and their region?
• Resilience – ability to handle adversity.
• Work ethic – committed to get better.

Camp list – Aon New Zealand Under 15 Girls. Head Coach – Lori McDaniel.

Camp list – Aon New Zealand Under 15 Boys. Head Coach – Mel Downer.

Camp list – Junior Tall Ferns (New Zealand Under 19 Girls). Head Coach – Hernando Planells

Camp list – Junior Tall Blacks (New Zealand Under 19 boys). Head Coach – Aaron Fearne

In short

• Name: All New Zealand Talent Camp
• Age groups: U19 (athletes born 2002 – 2003) and U15 (athletes born 2005-2006)
• Dates: 11-13 December – U19s | 14-16 December – U15s

More on the Basketball New Zealand age-group pathway can be found here: https://nz.basketball/national-teams/representative-pathway/