New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team Roster | Squad & Players 2023/2024
New Zealand may be renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and sporting prowess in rugby, but basketball is steadily gaining recognition as a popular sport in the country. The New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team, affectionately known as the Tall Blacks, has made waves on the international stage in recent years. With a talented roster of skilled players, they are consistently proving themselves as a formidable force in the basketball world.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the current New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team roster, highlighting the athletes who make up this dynamic squad.
New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team General Information
| Nickname | Tall Blacks |
| Official website | https://nz.basketball/national-teams/tall-blacks/ |
| Federation | Basketball New Zealand |
| Head coach | Pero Cameron |
| Current captain | Corey Webster |
| Most capped player | Sean Marks (160 caps) |
| Leading scorer | Pero Cameron (2,481 points) |
| Best finish at FIBA World Cup | 4th (2002) |
| Best finish at Olympic Games | 11th (2000) |
| Current ranking | 36th (as of July 2023) |
About New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team
The New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team, nicknamed the Tall Blacks, is one of the most successful basketball teams in Oceania. They have won three FIBA Oceania Championships, and twice appeared in the Summer Olympic Games. They participated in their first FIBA Asia Cup in 2017, finishing in fourth place.
The Tall Blacks have a long and storied history. They first competed in the 1982 FIBA World Championship, and have since appeared in every FIBA World Cup except for 2010. They have also competed in every Olympic Games since 2000.
The Tall Blacks have had some great players over the years, including Pero Cameron, Sean Marks, and Steven Adams. Cameron is the team’s all-time leading scorer, and Marks is the team’s all-time leading rebounder. Adams is the team’s current captain, and is one of the best players in the NBA.
The Tall Blacks are currently ranked 36th in the world by FIBA. They are hoping to qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and to make a deep run in the tournament.
Here are some of the Tall Blacks’ most notable achievements:
- 4th place at the 2002 FIBA World Championship
- 11th place at the 2000 Summer Olympics
- 4th place at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup
- 3x FIBA Oceania Champions
The Tall Blacks are a proud team with a rich history. They are always a threat to win when they step on the court, and they are sure to continue to be a force in international basketball for years to come.
New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team Roster 2023/2024
Here is the current roster for the New Zealand National Basketball team.
| Pos. | No. | Name | Date of birth (Age) | Height | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 0 | Tai Webster | 29-05-1995 (28) | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | Galatasaray |
| F | 3 | Finn Delany | 12-08-1995 (27) | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) | New Zealand Breakers |
| PG | 5 | Shea Ili | 06-10-1992 (30) | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | Melbourne United |
| PG | 6 | Jarrod Kenny | 17-09-1985 (37) | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | Cairns Taipans |
| SG | 9 | Corey Webster (C) | 29-11-1988 (34) | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | New Zealand Breakers |
| SF | 10 | Thomas Abercrombie | 05-07-1987 (36) | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | New Zealand Breakers |
| C | 14 | Robert Loe | 05-08-1991 (31) | 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) | New Zealand Breakers |
| PF | 16 | Tohi Smith-Milner | 06-10-1995 (27) | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) | Melbourne United |
| SF | 20 | Jordan Ngatai | 07-03-1993 (30) | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | New Zealand Breakers |
| SG | 25 | Ethan Rusbatch | 04-05-1992 (31) | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | Hawke’s Bay Hawks |
| C | 35 | Alex Pledger | 27-03-1987 (36) | 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) | Melbourne United |
| PF | 42 | Isaac Fotu | 18-12-1993 (29) | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | Universo Treviso Basket |
Conclusion
The New Zealand Men’s National Basketball Team roster comprises a talented group of individuals who have propelled the Tall Blacks to new heights on the international stage. With players like Tai Webster, Corey Webster, Isaac Fotu, Rob Loe, and Tom Abercrombie leading the charge, the team possesses a potent combination of skill, athleticism, and basketball IQ. As the team continues to evolve and compete against the world’s best, it’s evident that New Zealand is making its mark in the basketball world. The future looks bright for the Tall Blacks, and fans can expect them to continue dominating the court and inspiring a new generation of basketball players in New Zealand.
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