Head coach Pero Cameron has named an extended squad of 19 players in contention for the Tall Blacks FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece.
The squad of 14 will first travel to Helsinki, Finland on 21 June to compete in a pair of friendly games against top-level European competition; facing world No 20 ranked Finland on 26 June, followed by world No 15 Poland June 29.
Following this, a final Tall Blacks squad of 12 will travel to Piraeus, Greece from 2-7 July 2024 to participate in one of four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments run by FIBA. \
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Other nations at the tournament are Croatia, Greece, Egypt and Dominican Republic – with the team who finishes first earning a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
If the Tall Blacks win this qualifying tournament, they would progress to the Olympics for the first time in 20 years; their last appearance coming at the Athens Games back in 2004.
The extended squad of 14 features a multitude of proven performers on the basketball world stage. Eight core players return from the FIBA World Cup team that competed in the Philippines last August, finishing with a 2-3 record to secure entry into this FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Corey Webster has 93 Tall Blacks appearances while the trio of Hyrum Harrison, Ethan Rusbatch and Tom Vodanovich all suited up for the Tall Blacks at the Asia Cup Qualifiers in February this year.
The youngest player in the extended squad, 21-year-old Ben Gold, has played six games in the black jersey for New Zealand.
Shea Ili, who was a standout performer for the Tall Blacks at last year’s FIBA World Cup, said making an Olympic squad is something he has long aspired to.
“Our main goal is to try and make the Olympics and as a team we’ll be going out to do our absolute best; for me the one thing I’ve always wanted in my career is go to an Olympics and do my family - and our country – proud,” said Ili
“As a team we’ve always shown that we when we step foot on that court, we’re capable of beating any opponent we’re up against; but it’s about taking that next step and being able to win the games we need to win to make it through.”
Ili belies the Tall Blacks will take on some ‘tough’ competition at the Olympic Qualifiers in July.
“We’ll be going up against some big powerhouses in Slovenia and Croatia in group play, and if we can make it through to the crossover we’ll face Greece or another team. So we’ll focus on being able to make it through and take that next step; we can’t just be happy with playing well – we have to make it through to the next stage, do ourselves proud and make the Olympics.
TALL BLACKS SQUAD
Flynn Cameron, Taranaki Airs/Melbourne United
Finn Delany, Casademont Zaragoza/NZBreakers
Ben Gold, Marquette University
Hyrum Harris, Wellington Saints/Perth Wildcats
Tyrell Harrison, Southern Districts Spartans/Brisbane Bullets
Shea Ili, Geelong United/Melbourne United
Izayah Le’Afa, Wellington Saints/Sydney Kings
Jordan Ngatai, Bay Hawks
Ethan Rusbatch, Franklin Bulls
Reuben Te Rangi, Auckland Tuatara/South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tom Vodanovich, Auckland Tuatara
Sam Waardenburg, Cairns Taipans
Corey Webster, Auckland Tuatara
Yanni Wetzell, Alba Berlin
Non-Travelling Reserves
Taylor Britt, Canterbury Rams
Dan Fotu, Nelson Giants/NZ Breakers
Sam Mennenga, AS Karditsas/NZ Breakers
Taine Murray, Virginia Cavaliers
Sam Timmins, Franklin Bulls
TALL BLACKS SCHEDULE
Pre-OQT Friendly Games
vs Finland, time TBC, Wednesday, June 26
vs Poland, time TBC, Saturday, June 29
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
vs Croatia, 2.30am NZT, Thursday, July 4
vs Slovenia, 2.30am NZT, Friday, July 5