13 NBL Players Named in Tall Blacks Squad

Monday, May 23, 2022

The quality and depth of Kiwi talent in the NBL has been showcased with 13 players from the league named in the New Zealand Tall Blacks’ extended squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.

The quality and depth of Kiwi talent in the NBL has been showcased with 13 players from the league named in the New Zealand Tall Blacks’ extended squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.

Dan Fotu, Dion Prewster, Finn Delany, Hyrum Harris, Isaac Davidson, Jarrod Kenny, Jordan Ngatai, Sam Timmins, Shea Ili, Taane Samuel, Tohi Smith-Milner, Tom Abercrombie and Tom Vodanovich are all in contention for next month’s qualifier against the Philippines.

The players will assemble in the days prior to the Tall Blacks game on 30 June at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, with a game day squad of 12 players selected at that point.

“It’s a good mix; we’ve got veteran Tall Blacks in there like Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai, as well as players with a fair amount of NBL / ANBL experience like Tommy V (Vodanovich), Dion Prewster, Hyrum Harris and Taane Samuel,” Tall Blacks Head Coach, Pero Cameron, said.

“So I expect all these guys – young and old – to fight hard to earn a spot on the team, as nothing is given out at this level unless hard work and dedication is put in.”

Coach Cameron and the Tall Blacks will also draw from this pool of 33 players for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup, which is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 12-24 July.

Tall Blacks Long List (23 May 2022):

Akiva McBirney-Griffin, University of California Irvine

Benjamin Gold, Marquette University

Corey Webster, Al Ittihad Alexandria / Franklin Bulls

Dan Fotu, Saint Mary’s College of California / Auckland Tuatara / New Zealand Breakers

Dion Prewster, Melbourne United / Sandringham Sabres

Dominique Kelman-Poto, Southland Sharks

Ethan Rusbatch, Hawkes Bay Hawks

Finn Delany, NZ Breakers

Flynn Cameron, Riverside California

Hyrum Harris, Adelaide 36ers / Hawkes Bay Hawks

Isaac Davidson, NZ Breakers / Franklin Bulls