The Emerging Junior Tall Ferns have equalled their best finish at a FIBA Under-17 Women's World Cup.
The New Zealand under-17 women won three games at a world championship for the first time in three appearances, but lost their final two games over the weekend in Mexico to finish 12th of 16 teams.
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With Bailey Flavell, the daughter of former Tall Blacks guard and current Canterbury Rams coach Judd Flavell, the breakout star, the Emerging JTFs went 3-4 in games in Leon and Irapuato, Mexico.
Flavell finished with the fourth-highest scoring average, with 18.9 points in seven games, while New Zealand finished with the sixth-best points per game.
The 5-foot-10 forward from North Harbour had three 20-plus points games, going for 24 points in a loss to Italy, 25 in a win over Mexico, and 24 in a win over Puerto Rico. She also had 19 points in a victory over Mali.
Flavell also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks in almost 32 minutes a game, while shooting 42 percent from the field and 36 percent on three-point attempts.
Keriana Hippolite, an Australia-based 5-foot-6 guard, was also a leading player for the Emerging JTFs, averaging 10.7 points, 4.9 boards, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals a game, shooting 34 percent from long-distance.
Kodee Sefo, Flavell's North Harbour age-group teammate, also averaged 6.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field.
The Mel Bennett-coached team went 2-1 in Group B play, losing 71-63 to Italy first-up, before consecutive wins over hosts Mexico 98-81 and Mali 84-47 to finish second and qualify for the Round of 16.
In the knockout phase, New Zealand were eliminated from contention in a 78-55 loss to Finland, held off Puerto Rico 79-76 after leading by 29 points at halftime and lost to Chinese Taipei 70-66 and Egypt 62-59 to finish 12th.
New Zealand also finished 12th at the FIBA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2022 in Hungary, finishing 2-5, and 2018 in Belarus, going 1-6.