The Emerging Junior Tall Blacks' historic effort at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup has concluded without a medal.
Leyton Haddleton's New Zealand squad fell to the hot-shooting hosts Turkiye 101-78 in the playoff for third at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Dome on Sunday (Monday NZ Time)
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As some consolation, forward Oscar Goodman, the MVP at last year’s FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship, was named in the tournament’s All-Star Five.
Goodman averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals a game, while shooting 47 percent from the field.
After creating history by being the first New Zealand team to reach the quarterfinals and then semifinals at an age-group World Cup, the Emerging JTBs - like the Tall Blacks at the 2002 FIBA World Championship - fell short of the podium.
The Emerging JTBs topped Group C after wins over Turkiye (114-94) and Argentina (89-81), along with a 95-69 loss to beaten finalists Italy.
They defeated Egypt 85-64 in the Round of 16 and Lithuania 73-65 in the quarterfinals, before losing to the runaway champion USA team 145-65 in the semifinals.
Three-point shooting was the major difference against Turkiye, with the hosts connecting on 46 percent (15-of-33) and New Zealand just 23 percent (5-of-22).
Goodman again top-scored for the Emerging JTBs, with 25 points (8/20 FG, 2/6 3pt, 7/12 FT) and eight rebounds, while Lachlan Crate put up 21 points (7/12 FG, 2/5 3pt, 5/7 FT) and four boards, and Hayden Jones 15 points (2/6 FG, 11/11 FT) and five rebounds.
New Zealand led early but found themselves down by nine after the first quarter. Turkiye quickly went up 15 points in the second period, before New Zealand closed within seven. However, it was a 15-point game again by halftime.
After Turkiye went up 21 early in the third, Crate scored eight straight points in a 10-0 run as the Emerging JTBs got within 10. But Turkey answered with the next 10 points and cruised home from there.
Turkiye 101 (Derin Can Ustun 27, Cengiz Coskun 16, Kaan Onat 16, Mert Kocagozoglu 15) Emerging Junior Tall Blacks 78 (Oscar Goodman 25, Lachlan Crate 21, Hayden Jones 15). 1Q: 25-16, HT: 48-33, 3Q: 73-53