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It’s familiar territory for Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron as he is forced to dig deep into his player pool to complete the Fiba World Cup qualification process in New Zealand over the next week.
The looming NBL grand final, injuries and ambitions elsewhere have stripped Cameron of a swag of key players, though he still feels comfortable with the squad of 12 unveiled, led by international veterans Tohi Smith-Milner, Isaac Fotu, Reuben Te Rangi, Jordan Ngatai and Ethan Rusbatch, to face Saudi Arabia in Christchurch on Friday and Lebanon in Wellington next Monday.
The 6-2 New Zealanders have already sealed a spot at the World Cup which will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10, though are coming off a two-loss November window where they went down to both Lebanon and Jordan.
None of Mody Maor’s New Zealand Breakers players, who are through to the Australian NBL’s grand final (tipping off on March 3), have been included in the squad, while the Webster brothers and Melbourne United point guard Shea Ili are the other notable defections from the initial group of 24 named for this window.
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Tai Webster and Ili, who has been battling concussion symptoms throughout the Aussie NBL season, were both unavailable because of injury, while Corey Webster is pursuing playing opportunities in Europe.
Former Breakers standouts Yanni Wetzell and Finn Delany, who now ply their trade in Europe, were not considered, while Cairns Taipans forward Sam Waardenburg, who played well in their NBL semifinal defeat to the Sydney Kings, is another notable omission.
It’s still a solid squad, with Smith-Milner, Fotu, Te Rangi and Ngatai all boasting 50-plus caps, while the 44-cap Rusbatch will become the only player to feature in all 10 qualifying games for the New Zealanders.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron: ‘We want to do well. We have our own standards, expectations and goals.’
Guards Taylor Britt and Nikau McCullough, Tasmania DP Walter Brown, Adelaide 36ers forward Hyrum Harris, Brisbane Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison, Hawke’s Bay big man Jordan Hunt and Taranaki Airs sharpshooter Richie Rodger complete the lineup.
All except Harrison, who last pulled on the black singlet in 2020, have played for the national team over the past 12 moths, with the lineup only confirmed on Sunday in the wake of the NBL’s semifinals series.
“It’s been a waiting game,” said Cameron. “Our approach to the players has been if you make the playoffs then awesome; if you don’t make it then can we have your services [for the national team].
“What Reuben brings in terms of leadership is great, and with the other returning guys like Ngatai, Ethan, Isaac and Tohi, we know having that core group together is important.”
Cameron said Ili wanted to play, but the smart approach was taken.
“Having a second and third concussion in a limited time space means you’ve got to make sure his health is first and foremost. We know he was dying to be a part of this, but hopefully he’s able to be ready for the World Cup preparations.”
FIBA
The Tall Blacks perform their haka ahead of the Fiba World Cup qualifier against Lebanon in Beirut.
Despite the World Cup spot being sealed, Cameron said these two games remained important.
“We want to do well. We have our own standards, expectations and goals we set as a group. We had a mixed bag in our last window with two losses. We played well at times but were unable to close games out.
“The Lebanon game is big because they’ve qualified (for the World Cup), so we expect good performances from our guys and we want the win.”
Cameron singled out 2.13m centre Harrison as a player with the spotlight on him.
“We’re looking at a couple of guys lwho haven’t worn the black jersey in a while. Harrison has been pretty good in the Aussie NBL and he brings something different with this size and experience, so we’ll get a good look at him.”
The Tall Blacks take on Saudi Arabia on Friday at Christchurch Arena (7pm), before heading to Wellington to face Lebanon on Monday, February 27, at TSB Arena (7pm).
Tall Blacks: Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Isaac Fotu, Hyrum Harris, Tyrell Harrison, Jordan Hunt, Nikau McCullough, Jordan Ngatai, Richie Rodger Ethan Rusbatch, Reuben Te Rangi, Tohi Smith-Milner.
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