Tall Black Coach, Judd Flavell, has selected a strong 12-man squad for February’s upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers against Hong Kong on February 20, followed up by the battle for the first against the Philippines on February 23.
Six players return from November’s qualifying window, with experienced Canterbury Rams quartet Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Max Darling and Kaia Isaac coming back into the squad. Joining those four, the next Tall Black centurion, Corey Webster and Cairns Taipans starting centre, Sam Waardenburg.
Flavell is also delighted to welcome back the experienced trio of Jordan Ngatai (Kapfenberg Bulls, Austria), Tohi Smith-Milner (Brisbane Bullets) and Reuben Te Rangi (Tasmania JackJumpers).
Also making a return to the coveted black singlet is New Zealand Breakers injury replacement Tai Wynyard.
As always, the team will also contain a pair of potential debutants. Hawke’s Bay Hawks youngster, Jackson Ball and Canterbury Rams rising star, Tama Isaac.
“We have put together a great mix of experience. Some guys that are well established Tall Blacks and have played a lot of games for the black singlet. We’re mixing that in with a lot of youth, and continuing on the theme of growing and fast-tracking our younger stars we have two new players to add to that mix in Tama Isaac and Jackson Ball.”
RISING STARS SET TO MAKE TALL BLACK DEBUTS
Youngsters Jackson Ball and Tama Isaac will not be names too unfamiliar with basketball heads in Aotearoa.
Both made big progress in the Sal’s NBL last year and were key cogs in their respective teams Sky Broadband Rapid League squads.
Coach Judd Flavell is continuing to set the programme up for years to come, by bringing in these two talented young stars.
“What we’re finding with these windows are giving opportunities to these young and exciting guys to make their debuts.”
“We’re future proofing ourselves by going into the depth-charts and looking at players who we believe are going to be Tall Blacks in the future and for a very long time, and both Tama and Jackson fit that mould.”
Ball was a part of the New Zealand U17’s fairytale run at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey, where the team placed fourth. He was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools All-Star five in 2024 after his Napier Boys’ High squad finished runners-up.
Should Ball take the court for the Tall Blacks, he would become the third youngest to take the floor behind Tai Wynyard and Izayah Le’afa, who like Ball were 16 years old at the time they debuted.
Tama Isaac was a member of the U18 FIBA Asia Cup All-Star Five last year averaging 17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and a tournament leading 5.7 assists across six games in Jordan. Isaac was also named MVP at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals and Foot Locker U20 Nationals in 2024 after leading his Christ’s College and Canterbury squads to National titles. He follows in brother Kaia’s footsteps, who made his Tall Black debut during the last FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying window in November.
“Both these guys have been dominant players in their Junior environments and both have been unphased by the step up of the Sal’s NBL. Seeing these guys perform at this level has given me great confidence that they are ready for this challenge.”
TALL BLACKS CENTURY LOOMS FOR WEBSTER
A memorable moment to come from this qualifying window will be the inevitable moment guard, Corey Webster, steps on the floor for his 100th Tall Blacks game.
Barring major injury, Webster will become the 23rd Tall Black to reach 100 games.
“The impact that Corey has had on the game of basketball in this country is phenomenal. He’s represented the Tall Blacks on an international stage and been a world-class player. The way he’s carried on the legacy of the Tall Blacks, the way he’s carried our team and himself has just been with immense pride.”
Webster made his debut as a young teenager against Australia in 2008 and has led the Tall Blacks at a number of pinnacle events over his time with the national team including leading the team in scoring at both the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cups.
“What I’ve really enjoyed most about Corey is his journey. He’s someone that was a Tall Black very young, and has continued to put his hand up when asked upon. When you listen to him talk about the Tall Blacks and what it means to him, you can sense his pride and passion for the black singlet. Him reaching this milestone is a testament to all of that.”
Webster the second highest point scorer in Tall Black history, behind FIBA Hall of Famer and legend Kirk Penney. Ironically, Webster also sits behind Penney in all-time three pointers made in the black singlet.
YOUNGEST EVER TO DO IT MAKES RETURN TO BLACK SINGLET
At 16 years, 160 days of age, Tai Wynyard made his Tall Black debut. To this day, he remains the youngest Tall Black to ever take the hardwood floor.
After two years he will potentially play in his 19th and 20th games for the Tall Blacks.
Flavell’s long standing relationship with Wynyard was a key factor into the big-man’s return to the national side.
“I had a lot to do with him when he was coming through the Breakers academy and making his debut. We’ve built a good relationship over that time.”
“It’s not been smooth sailing and it has not been a straight journey for him, he’s had his challenges. Seeing him back on the basketball court, and looking at where he is at with his family, he is someone we’re really interested in seeing what he can contribute to our environment.”
TALL BLACKS EYE FIRST SEED
Having already qualified for August FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the goal for Flavell’s men is to qualify as the top seed from their pool.
Should they do so, it would mean an easier path to becoming champions at the FIBA Asia Cup, which would be New Zealand’s first FIBA Asia Cup trophy since joining the competition in 2017.
“The ultimate goal is to get top seed out of our pool so that we position ourselves in the best pool when it comes to the Asia Cup in August. So we need to win both games. That’s the job we have in front of us.”
“This window is to position ourselves for that pinnacle event later on in the year, but also spending that time together to build cohesion.”
“I’m excited that a lot of guys that were unavailable in that November window, have made themselves available and are coming along for the ride this time round. Guys like Jordan Ngatai, Max Darling, Reuben Te Rangi and of course Tohi Smith-Milner.”
“Every single hour is precious when it comes to these windows. While we’re excited and focus on getting these two results, we’re looking to build for the future as well.”
TALL BLACKS ROSTER TO PLAY FIBA ASIA CUP QUALIFIERS – WINDOW 3
Jackson Ball, Guard, Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Taylor Britt, Guard, Canterbury Rams, 29 caps
Walter Brown, Guard/Forward, Tasmania JackJumpers/Canterbury Rams, 16 caps
Max Darling, Forward, BNZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 2 caps
Kaia Isaac, Guard, BNZ Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 1 cap
Tama Isaac, Guard, Canterbury Rams
Jordan Ngatai, Guard/Forward, Kapfenberg Bulls, 82 caps
Tohi Smith-Milner, Forward, Brisbane Bullets, 64 caps
Reuben Te Rangi, Guard/Forward, Tasmania JackJumpers, 69 caps
Sam Waardenburg, Centre/Forward, Cairns Taipans, 3 caps
Corey Webster, Guard, 99 caps
Tai Wynyard, Centre, BNZ Breakers, 18 caps
*bold denotes potential debutant
Judd Flavell Head Coach
Michael Fitchett Asst Coach
Daniel Sokolovsky Asst Coach
James Jolly Doctor
Robert Knight Physiotherapist
Paul Minehan Massage Therapist/Logistics
Dave Wildash Manager
Tall Blacks Schedule – Asia Cup Qualifiers 2025
22 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (away): WON 89-69
25 Feb 2024 – NZL vs Hong Kong (Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland): WON 88-49
21 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Philippines (away): LOST 89-93
25 Nov 2024 – NZL vs Chinese Taipei (Christchurch): WON 81-64
20 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Hong Kong (away)
23 Feb 2025 – NZL vs Philippines (Spark Arena, Auckland)
5-17 Aug 2025 – FIBA Asia Cup 2025 (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
Get tickets now for Tall Blacks vs Philippines; Sunday 23 November at Spark Arena, Auckland HERE.
