Tall Blacks Head Coach Judd Flavell has named his team for the next window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
With these Tall Blacks squads starting to feel more and more familiar, a real identity and feeling of togetherness continues to bring these players back.
Eight players from July’s window against the Philippines and Guam will suit up during Window 4, with some notable returns to the black singlet present.
Exciting guard, Flynn Cameron, re-joins the Tall Blacks after missing the last two windows due to playing in the NBL Finals and a stint at the NBA’s Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Tall Black centurion, Corey Webster, returns to the black singlet after an Achilles tear suffered in last year’s Sal’s NBL season saw him miss the rest of the season. An impressive campaign with the Manawatū Jets in 2026, and a standout performance for the Tall Blacks Select Team against China sees him back in the squad for this window. It’ll be Webster first game back in black since playing a big part in the win against the Philippines in February 2025.
The other two additions to the squad are 2026 Sal’s NBL Champion, Tobias Cameron, and Cairns Taipans centre, Luca Yates.
The Sam trio of Mennenga, Timmins and Waardenburg bring real size and athleticsm to the group, while a well-rounded and experienced guard core of the Cameron and Webster brothers, plus Shea Ili, will lead the pack.
Experienced wings Jordan Ngatai and Reuben Te Rangi will be nicely complimented by the young, high-flying Carlin Davison, and will look to bring energy and precision for Flavell’s squad.
It’s set to be just the second time two sets of brothers have played together in the same Tall Black squad, after the Webster and the Fotu’s (Isaac and Dan) played during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers together.
After qualifying out of the first round of the Asian Qualifiers, the Tall Blacks now enter the second round of World Cup qualifying, which goes through till the March next year.
A new pool has been formed, merging Group A and Group C from the first round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, to form Group E.
The Tall Blacks gear up to play Iran, Syria and Jordan in their remaining six games of qualifying, a top three place in Group E securing their ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
Currently, the Tall Blacks sit a win outside of third spot, with Iran and Jordan equal on 11 points in the group. Australia sit on top of Group E unbeaten on 12 points, with the Philippines and Syria below New Zealand with 8 points each.
Window 4 of FIBA World Cup Qualifying will be hosted in the Philippines, where the Tall Blacks will take on Iran (August 28) and Syria (August 30), with both games scheduled to tip-off at 6pm (NZT).
Coverage is live on ESPN via Disney+ and Sky Sport (Channel 60 & 61).
Tall Blacks Squad for Window 4 of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers:
G Flynn Cameron (Adelaide 36ers), 41 games
G Tobias Cameron (Southland Sharks/New Zealand Breakers), 2 games
G/F Carlin Davison (Wellington Saints/New Zealand Breakers), 20 games
G Shea Ili (Melbourne United), 75 games
F Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers), 12 games
F Jordan Ngatai (Tauranga Whai), 97 games
F Reuben Te Rangi (Tauranga Whai/New Zealand Breakers), 78 games
C Sam Timmins (Southland Sharks), 31 games
F/C Sam Waardenburg (Melbourne United), 6 games
G Corey Webster (Manawatū Jets), 100 games
G Tai Webster (Manawatū Jets/Limoges CSP, FRA), 56 games
C Luca Yates (Cairns Taipans), 4 games
Head Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant Coaches: Mike Fitchett, Matt Lacey
Manager: Jordan Mills
Physio: Rob Knight
Doctor: Euan Speirits
Strength and Conditioning: Tom Faulks
