Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is excited to announce the Tall Blacks squad to face Saudi Arabia in Dammam this Friday 26 August, in their first FIBA World Cup Qualifier game in Window 4.
The 10-man squad includes: Benjamin Gold, Ethan Rusbatch, Isaac Fotu, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa, Jordan Ngatai, Nikau McCullough, Reuben Te Rangi, Sam Timmins, Shea Ili and Tohi Smith-Milner.
The squad will be coached by Pero Cameron, with Ross McMains, Zico Coronel and Michael Fitchett all named as Assistant Coaches.
Five players – Rusbatch, Ngatai, Timmins, Ili and Smith-Milner – all return to the Tall Blacks fold after playing key roles in its Window 3 World Cup Qualifier game, when the Kiwis defeated the Philippines 106-60 at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium. Recent Marquette recruit Gold has appeared in 3 games for the Tall Blacks since 2021, most recently seeing action against the Philippines in March this year.
Three veterans – with over 120 caps combined – also return to the Tall Blacks squad; Fotu putting on the singlet for the first time since 2019, while Te Rangi last played in 2020. Recent Breakers signing, Mauriohooho-Le’afa, also played 9 games for the Tall Blacks back in 2013.
This game will see the FIBA debut of McCullough in the 5 on 5 setting, after the guard starred for the 3×3 Tall Blacks in 2022. McCullough also joins his Otago Nuggets teammate, Sam Timmins in this squad as recent Sal’s NBL grand final winners.
The Tall Blacks take on Saudi Arabia in Dammam, at 4.15am NZT on Fri 26 August. The game will be screened live on Spark Sport.
Follow the game online here.
Following this game, the Tall Blacks return to New Zealand for their next Window 4 World Cup Qualifier, taking on Jordan at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium on Mon 29 August.
Tickets to this game are available at https://tinyurl.com/yncnf83n
