New Zealand's Almighty Challenge on World Stage

Sunday, June 4, 2023

New Zealand’s already tough path to the knockout stages of the FIBA World Cup has just become more difficult

New Zealand’s already tough path to the knockout stages of the FIBA World Cup has just become more difficult, as a host of NBA talent have reportedly declared themselves available for group rivals, the USA.

The Tall Blacks have been drawn alongside the basketball powerhouse – along with Jordan and Greece – in what looms as a possible group of death for a team full of NBL stars.

NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards headlines the group of six players reported to have accepted the call-up to the tournament, as reported by Joe Vardon and Shams Charania for The Athletic.

Vardon also reports NBA champion Bobby Portis, Lakers guard Austin Reaves, Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges will appear at the tournament.

NBA Insider Marc Stein has reported that New York’s Jalen Brunson will also take part in the competition.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Knicks' Jalen Brunson is among the 12 expected roster members for <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usabasketball</a> at the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBAWC</a>, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSteinLine</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> reports Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Bobby Portis & Austin Reaves also committed.<br><br>More: <a href="https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq">https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq</a></p>— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1665483895242981377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Zealand’s star-studded list of opponents will likely also include Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two-time NBA MVP finished EuroBasket 2022 as the tournament’s leading scorer and has represented his country nearly 30 times in FIBA tournaments since 2014.

A total of 26 current and former NBL players were utilised by New Zealand in its World Cup qualification campaign, as was former UC Riverside guard Flynn Cameron, who will commence his professional career with Melbourne United next season.