The Tall Blacks are pleased to announce its final squad of 12 to face Saudi Arabia in the final window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), tipping off from Friday 24 February.
The squad of 12 includes: Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Isaac Fotu, Hyrum Harris, Tyrell Harrison, Jordan Hunt, Nikau McCullough, Jordan Ngatai, Richie Rodger, Ethan Rusbatch, Reuben Te Rangi and Tohi Smith-Milner.
The team is led by veterans Smith-Milner, Fotu, Te Rangi, Ngatai and Rusbatch, with Rusbatch set to be the only player to be appear in all 10 Tall Blacks teams during WCQ play. With the exception of Harrison, who last played for the Tall Blacks in 2020, all of these athletes have suited up for the Tall Blacks within the past 12 months.
The squad was only finalised following the NZ Breakers win over the Tasmania JackJumpers in the Australian NBL last night, with their upcoming Finals appearance removing seven Breakers players – initially named in the squad of 24 – from contention. In addition both Shea Ili and Tai Webster were unavailable due to injury, while Corey Webster has elected to pursue a playing opportunity in Europe.
Tall Blacks head coach, Pero Cameron says although the squad has come together late, he is pleased with the level of experience and ability of the players coming into camp.
“We had a group of 24 to choose from, and depending on availability – with most of these guys being overseas and play of the playoff run for the Aussie NBL – it’s meant this team has only been able to be confirmed last night,” says Cameron.
“It’s been a waiting game, in that our approach to the players has been ‘if you make the playoffs then awesome, if you don’t make it then can we have your services [for the national team].
“Having Reuben coming in and joining the group, what we brings to the team in terms of leadership is great, and the other returning guys like Ngatai, Ethan, Isaac and Tohi, with them being available for us over the past two years is amazing, we know that having that core group together is important.”
Cameron says that the unavailability of Shea Ili due to injury is a blow for the team, but one they can overcome thanks to the depth of the squad.
“Shea wanted to play, but having a second and third concussion in that limited space means you’ve got to make sure that his health is first and foremost. We wish him all the best, we know he was dying to be a part of this but hopefully he’s able to get to get back on that horse and be ready for the World Cup preparations.”
With the FIBA World Cup seeding not announced until the end of April, Cameron says he wants the team to finish as high we can.
“This is our final window and we want to do well; we have our own standards and expectations and goals we set as a group, so we want to go in and have a good performance.
“We had a mixed bag in our last window where we walked away with two losses, I thought we played well at times but we were unable to close games out. The Lebanon game is big because they’ve qualified [for the FIBA World Cup] so we expect good performances from our guys and we want the win – that’s first and foremost on our mind for these games.”
Cameron singled out 7’0” centre Harrison as a player who will be ‘one to watch’ for the two games in New Zealand.
“We’re looking at a couple of guys like Harrison who haven’t worn the black jersey in a while, so it’s important to see how we can get them involved. Harrison has been pretty good in the Aussie NBL and he brings something different to the team with this size and experience, so we’ll get a good look at him.
“And the fact we’re getting more and more games for the Tall Blacks is great – especially home games as it’s not easy to get teams down this part of the world – so anytime you can get quality teams like Saudi Arabia and Lebanon here is good for our game. And it’s good to get games in front of our fans and to get the support, playing in front of your home country is a great feeling.”
The Tall Blacks take on Saudi Arabia this Friday 24 Feb at Christchurch Arena, before heading to Wellington to face Lebanon on Monday 27 Feb at TSB Arena. Tickets at: bbnz.cloud/tickets
This will be the last FIBA games in New Zealand for the Tall Blacks, before they head to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August to take on the world’s best.
Tall Blacks Squad of 12 v Saudi Arabia, Feb 2023
- Taylor Britt (14 caps)
- Walter Brown, Tasmania Jackjumpers (1 cap)
- Isaac Fotu, Utsunomiya Brex (68 caps)
- Hyrum Harris, Adelaide 36ers & Hawkes Bay Hawkes (6 caps)
- Tyrell Harrison, Brisbane Bullets (3 caps)
- Jordan Hunt, Hawkes Bay Hawkes (11 caps)
- Nikau McCullough (3 caps)
- Jordan Ngatai, Hawkes Bay Hawkes (64 caps)
- Richie Rodger, Taranaki Airs (4 caps)
- Ethan Rusbatch (44 caps)
- Reuben Te Rangi, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix & Auckland Tuatara (52 caps)
- Tohi Smith-Milner, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix & Wellington Saints (51 caps)
Tall Blacks World Cup Qualifier Games, New Zealand
- Tall Blacks vs Saudi Arabia, Christchurch Arena – Friday 24 February
- Tall Blacks vs Lebanon, TSB Arena Wellington – Monday 27 February.
- Tickets at bbnz.cloud/tickets
