Basketball: The Tall Blacks’ FIBA ​​Asia Cup Qualifiers offer a glimpse into the future

A Tall Blacks veteran approaching 100 games is joined by two potential debutants in new head coach Judd Flavell’s first roster for the FIBA ​​Asia Cup qualifiers.

The 13-man list is headed by guard Corey Webster, who has 97 caps for New Zealand and far more international basketball court time than any other player selected for this month’s games against the Philippines in Manila and against Chinese Taipei in Christchurch.

Izayah Le’afa, Tom Vodanovich, Tyrell Harrison, Sam Mennenga and Flynn Cameron – who currently play in the Australian NBL – are returning from this year’s FIBA ​​Olympics qualification tournament in Greece.

The inclusion of Taylor Britt, Hyrum Harris and Walter Brown — who played in the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup — adds tournament experience to the roster.

Mennenga’s young frontcourt talent of 22, Sam Waardenburg (25) and Harrison (25), have the potential to play together in the black jersey for the next decade.

Flavell also gave Taranaki teenager Oscar Goodman, who stood out at the recent FIBA ​​U17 World Cup, an opportunity to play his first minutes of senior international basketball.

The other potential debutant is Breakers development player Kaia Isaac.

“When Judd called and told me, I didn’t believe it at first, but then I was delighted to be part of the Tall Blacks at my age – it really is a dream come true,” Goodman said of his . base in Australia.

“Playing for New Zealand will always be on my radar – every year, every window I want to play for the Tall Blacks. To play for your country is the greatest honour. I’m always very proud to pull on the jersey.”

At 17 years and 289 days when the Tall Blacks play the Philippines or 17 years and 293 days against Chinese Taipei, Goodman will become the 8th or 9th the youngest Tall Black if he goes to court. Tai Wynard was the youngest ever at 16 years and 160 days when he debuted in 2014.

Isaac’s selection comes on the heels of a big year for the 21-year-old, who was named the NBL Rapid League MVP for his efforts with the Canterbury Rams, which also led to a development deal with the Breakers.

“I’m very honored to be selected for the Tall Blacks, but also to hear this from Judd – I’ve worked with him for the past three years, it was a surreal moment for me and my family to be selected by Judd. on the Tall Blacks jersey is a huge honour,” said Isaac.

“To represent history, those who have gone in the past and to think that I am now a part of it in the present – I am so honored to represent my country and the culture of the team and the nation.”

Flavell worked with many of the players during his career at the Breakers, with the New Zealand national teams and more recently with the Canterbury Rams.

“I love that there are so many full-circle moments, opportunities for me to work again with so many of this group – most of whom I’ve coached in different environments and at different stages of their careers, for you would call together, as is the Tall Blacks. a really proud moment now for me as head coach.”

The roster highlighted the depth Flavell has available to the national team, with only five players returning from last year’s World Cup.

While Flavell appreciated that there would always be players unavailable, he wanted to select his best players at every possible opportunity as he built cohesion on and off the field in the short windows available to the team.

“Our opportunities together in the black singlet are becoming more frequent in Asia with the many FIBA ​​windows, but shorter in time, with four to six week tournament days now a thing of the past. must become a New Zealand basketball superpower, the ability to bring our best available players together as often as possible, if we are to achieve our goals.

“Yes, we are missing some experienced and skilled players, that is always the juggling act. We are constantly working with players and their clubs to get the balance right.”

If New Zealand win both matches in this window, the Tall Blacks will book a place at the 2025 FIBA ​​Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia next August with two qualifiers to play.

The Tall Blacks roster will play in the FIBA ​​Asia Cup qualifiers

Taylor Britt, Guard, Canterbury Rams, 28, 27 caps for New Zealand

Corey Webster, Guard, Auckland Tuatara, 35, 97 games

Kaia Isaac, Guard, Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 0 games

Flyn Cameron, Guard, Melbourne United/Taranaki Airs, 24, 26 games

Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Guard, Sydney Kings/Wellington Saints, 27, 25 games

Walter Brown, guard/forward, Tasmania JackJumpers/Canterbury Rams, 21, 14 games

Hyrum Harris, forward, Perth Wildcats/Wellington Saints, 28, 17 games

Tom Vodanovich, forward, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix/Auckland Tuatara, 30, 14 games

Oscar Goodman, forward, NBA Global Academy/New Plymouth Boys, 17, 0 games

Max Darling, Forward, Breakers/Canterbury Rams, 24, 4 games

Sam Mennenga, Forward/Center, Breakers, 22, 8 games

Sam Waardenburg, centre/forward, Cairns Taipans, 25, 1 game

Tyrell Harrison, Centre, Brisbane Bullets, 25, 10 games

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