In preparation for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in August, the Tall Blacks are now locked into a trio of friendly competitions – against several top World Cup opponents – across Asia and Europe.
The Tall Blacks have today confirmed their participation in two events – a pair of friendlies against Japan from 2-4 August and the inaugural FIBA Solidarity Cup in China from 18-21 August. This adds to their already-busy preparation schedule that includes the previously announced 34th Basketball SuperCup in Germany on 12-13 August.
2023 Ota Tournament, Japan
The Tall Blacks will face Japan in a two-game series of friendly games on the 2nd and 4th August at the Open House Arena in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture. Japan are ranked #36 on the FIBA world rankings for 2023, with their squad expected to include NBA players Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers) and Yuta Watanabe (Brooklyn Nets).
34th Basketball SuperCup, Germany
After Japan the Tall Blacks will head to the 34th Basketball SuperCup, to be held on 12-13 August in Hamburg, Germany with a range of NBA talent set to make an appearance.
New Zealand will join hosts Germany (ranked #11), Canada (#15) and China (#27) at this event, with the Tall Blacks facing Canada – expected to have all-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on their star-studded team – in one semi-final. The winners will meet in the Final the next day, when a third place game is also to be held.
FIBA Solidarity Cup, China
Held at the Baoan District Gymnasium in Shenzhen, China, from 18-21 August, the FIBA Solidarity Cup is an invitational tournament that includes national teams from China, Serbia, Italy and Brazil and New Zealand – all playing in a series of friendly games in the build-up to the World Cup.
New Zealand will play against China (ranked #27) on 18 August and then face Italy (ranked #10) on 21 August in this inaugural competition, before heading to the Philippines for the FIBA World Cup.
Tall Blacks head coach, Pero Cameron says that preparation games like these are vital for the squad prior to playing in an event the size and magnitude of a World Cup.
“These preparation games are always important to help get our group battle-ready, we need as many games as possible in the limited preparation time we have together, to get to a style and level of performance we want to achieve at the World Cup,” says Cameron.
“And we can only get to that level from playing against these high-level teams like Japan, China and Canada.
“We don’t get a lot of opportunities to play internationals, especially down our way [in New Zealand]; with the FIBA windows recently it’s been better, but for the most part we can’t get enough basketball teams here and we don’t get enough quality time together as a team. So these games will not only help out our group, and help me with team selection.”
The FIBA World Cup 2023, set to take place from 25 August to 10 September, will see New Zealand facing the United States, Greece and Jordan in the Group Phase in the Philippines capital city of Manila. All games will be shown free to air on TVNZ. Find out more at www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023
Prior to departing for the overseas preparation games and FIBA World Cup, the Tall Blacks will also be hosting a ‘Road to the World Cup 2023 Dinner’ at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel. Find out more at https://nzbasketball.flicket.co.nz/
Tall Blacks World Cup Preliminary Schedule
29 Jun – Tall Blacks Name Extended Squad of 24
25 Jul – Tall Blacks Training Camp, Auckland (until 31 July)
28 Jul – Tall Blacks ‘Road to the World Cup 2023 Dinner’
2 Aug – Game 1, Tall Blacks vs Japan friendly, (2023 Ota Tournament, Japan)
4 Aug – Game 2, Tall Blacks vs Japan friendly, (2023 Ota Tournament, Japan)
12 Aug – Game 3, Tall Blacks vs Canada, (Basketball SuperCup, Germany)
13 Aug – Game 4, Tall Blacks vs China OR Germany (Basketball SuperCup, Germany)
18 Aug – Game 5, Tall Blacks vs China (FIBA Solidarity Cup, China)
21 Aug – Game 6, Tall Blacks vs Italy (FIBA Solidarity Cup, China)
27 Aug – Tall Blacks vs USA* (Group Phase, FIBA World Cup, Philippines)
28 Aug – Tall Blacks vs Jordan* (Group Phase, FIBA World Cup, Philippines)
31 Aug – Tall Blacks vs Greece* (Group Phase, FIBA World Cup, Philippines)
*Watch live on TVNZ
