It’s no secret that the Tall Blacks – Philippines rivalry is one that is slowly building momentum in the landscape of FIBA Asia Basketball.
Tall Blacks Coach Judd Flavell has named a 12-man squad for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, that talks to the strength of the up and coming rivalry.
New Zealand Breakers teammates Reuben Te Rangi, Taylor Britt, Max Darling, Carlin Davison, Alex McNaught and Sam Mennenga will make a strong core of the squad.
The Brisbane Bullets trio from Window 1 returns Tyrell Harrison, Taine Murray and Tohi Smith-Milner are back in action, whilst Jordan Ngatai’s return to the black singlet will see him add to his 93 appearances.
Yanni Wetzell will also suit up against the Philippines. The Akita Northern Happinets centre back again after averaging 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and a block in the opening window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying window.
A huge congratulations must go out to Adelaide 36ers guard, Keanu Rasmussen, who earns his first New Zealand Tall Blacks selection.
The Tall Blacks will be looking to avenge what happened in the team’s previous game in Manila, where they went down to the Philippines 89-93.
Since then, however, New Zealand has had the better of their Filipino counterparts. In front of a sold-out Spark Arena crowd, Tohi Smith-Milner’s 25 points (5/10 3PM) led the way in a big 17-point victory. Whilst at the Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, it was Jordan Ngatai who would knock down five triples to lead the Tall Blacks to a 94-86 win.
Following their showdown with the Philippines in Manila, the Tall Blacks travel to Guam for their second game of the window.
The Kiwi’s have taken care of Guam in their two previous match-ups, with a big 125-43 win back in 1999 and more recently a 113-94 win during the 2020 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying campaign.
Both games during the second window of FIBA World Cup Qualfying will be live on ESPN and Disney+.
TALL BLACKS SQUAD FOR FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – WINDOW TWO
Taylor Britt (Canterbury Rams & New Zealand Breakers), 46 games
Max Darling (Southland Sharks & New Zealand Breakers), 18 games
Carlin Davison (Wellington Saints & New Zealand Breakers), 17 games
Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane Bullets), 13 games
Alex McNaught (Nelson Giants & New Zealand Breakers), 3 games
Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers), 9 games
Taine Murray (Brisbane Bullets), 21 games
Jordan Ngatai (Levanga Hokkaido), 93 games
Keanu Rasmussen (Adelaide 36ers), debutant
Tohi Smith-Milner (Brisbane Bullets), 80 games
Reuben Te Rangi (New Zealand Breakers), 74 games
Yanni Wetzell (Akita Northern Happinets), 16 games
Head Coach – Judd Flavell
Assistant Coaches – Michael Fitchett, Quinn Clinton
2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying – First Round
WINDOW ONE
L 79-84 v Australia MyState Bank Arena, Hobart
L 77-79 v Australia TSB Arena, Wellington
UPCOMING GAMES – WINDOW TWO
February 27, 12:30am (NZT) v Philippines, Mall of Asia Arena, Manila
March 1, 8pm (NZT) v Guam, University of Guam Fieldhouse, Mangilao Village
WINDOW THREE
July 3 v Philippines, Spark Arena, Auckland
July 6 v Guam, Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
