New Zealand
FIBA ranking21 Increase 6 (15 September 2023)[1]
Joined FIBA1951
FIBA zoneFIBA Asia
National federationBasketball New Zealand
CoachPero Cameron
Nickname(s)Tall Blacks
Olympic Games
Appearances2
FIBA World Cup
Appearances7
FIBA Oceania Championship
Appearances22
Medals Gold: (1999, 2001, 2009)
Silver: (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015)
FIBA Asia Cup
Appearances2
Medals Bronze: (2022)

The New Zealand men's national basketball team is the senior men's national basketball team of New Zealand. The team is nicknamed the Tall Blacks (Māori: Pango Tāroaroa).[2] The Tall Blacks name is one of many New Zealand national team nicknames related to the All Blacks. Over its history, the team has won three FIBA Oceania Championships, and twice appeared in the Summer Olympic Games. It participated in its first FIBA Asia Cup in 2017, finishing in fourth place.

Haka

The Tall Blacks perform a traditional Haka (Māori challenge) before every game, influenced by Pāora Winitana and Paul Henare.

History

There is a long and storied history of basketball in New Zealand, here is a brief glimpse.

1986 FIBA World Championship

The Tall Blacks took part in 1986 tourney staged in Spain. Placed in Group D, finishing with a 1-4 record (13th overall), picking up a 77-75 win over Malaysia.

1999 Oceania Championship

Beating Guam 125-43, the Tall Blacks qualified for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

2000 Sydney Olympic Games

Finishing 11th with a 1-6 record, the Tall Blaacks picked up a win against Angola (70-60) in their first ever appearance at the Summer Games. Playing in Group A against the US, Italy, China, Latvija and France.

Sean Marks finished the Tourny with 13 ppg (Points) and 7.3 rpg (Rebounds, 2nd) with a game high 21 points vs. Latvija. Pero Cameron finished the Tourny 2nd in Steals (1.7spg) and also picked up a game high (4) steals vs. Latvija.

2001 Oceania Championship

The Tall Blacks wiped out Australia, in a three-game series 2-1 to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, United States.

2002 FIBA World Championship

Held in Indianapolis, The Tall Blacks stormed out of Group D into the 2nd round with a 2-1 record. Beating China and Russia but suffering a loss to the US.

Finding themselves in the 1/4 finals against Puerto Rico, They picked up the win 65-63, before losing the semifinal to Serbia and Montenegro 89-87.

Playing for the Bronze medal against Germany they lost 117-94 ending with a 4-5 record. To date this has been their best finish at a World Cup / World Championships.

Tall Blacks captain Pero Cameron was the only non-NBA player named to the All-Tournament team in Indianapolis.

Phil Jones was listed as 9th best scorer at 19.2 ppg

2004 Athens Olympics

Held in Athens Greece, playing Italy, China, Serbia and Montenegro, Argentina and Spain - The Tall Blacks finished with a 1–5 record defeated the then reigning 2002 FIBA World Championship gold medalists, Serbia and Montenegro, 90–87.

In the play off for 9th position they lost to Australia 98-80 finishing 10th.

Phil Jones (Points) with 21ppg finished 2nd. Mark Dickel (Assists) with 4.5 apg finished 3rd. Dillion Boucher (Steals) with 1.8 spg finished 5th.

2006 FIBA World Championship

Held in Japan, the Tall Blacks were not to repeat their fourth-place finish from 2002. After an 0–3 start, the Tall Blacks rallied into the second round, with two straight wins to close out the group stage. However, they would fall in the round of 16 to the defending Olympic gold medalists Argentina, 79–62. After that disappointment, Tab Baldwin resigned as the head coach of the Tall Blacks, and was replaced by Nenad Vučinić, his longtime assistant coach.

2009 Oceanica Championship

New Zealand once again defeated Australia to Qualify for the 2010 World Championship to be held in Türkiye.

2010 FIBA World Championship

Pitching up in group C (Held in Izmar) playing 5 group games, the TBs made it through to the round of 16 with 3-2 record. Beating Lebanon, Canada and France, but losing to Lietuva and Spain.

In the round of 16, The TBs drew Russia, losing 78-56.

Kirk Penny finished 2nd overall in ppg (24.7).

Their final rank was 12th with a 3-3 record.

2011 Stanković Cup

Competing at the 2011 Boris Stanković Cup in China. They played 3 games against China, Russia, and Angola. After going down to Russia in the first game by just 3 points, the Tall Blacks quickly put that behind them, smashing China in their second game, which led to a good win against a strong Angolan team. Playing Russia in the final who were no match for Tall Blacks star shooting guard Kirk Penney. He scored 30 points, to give the Tall Blacks the win and the gold medal for 2011 edition.

2014 FIBA World Cup

Held in Spain, New Zealand were placed in Group C and finished up with a 2-3 statline in pool play. Recording good wins over Ukraine and Finland, after narrowly losing to Türkiye in their opening match. The Tall Blacks other two loses game against the Dominican Republic and the US.

New Zealand made it through to the final 16, playing against Lietuva, but lost the match 76-71.

New Zealand finished in 15th place overall.

2017 FIBA Asia Cup

Landing in Group C, New Zealand gained top spot and made their way through to the finals round. Overcoming Jordan in the 1/4 final 98-70. However losing to Australia in the semi final 106-79. This placed them in the playoff for Bronze which saw them come up against South Korea.

Sadly for the Tall Blacks this was the end of the line coming up short 71-80 and finishing with a 3-3 record.

Shea Illi was named to the All Star Tournament team as PG.

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualification

Partial Qualifier results:

  • 23 Nov 2017 vs Korea at TSB Bank Arena, Wellington. Tall Blacks lost 80-86
  • 26 Nov 2017 vs Hong Kong at Southourn Stadium, Hong Kong. Tall Blacks won 133-74
  • 23 Feb 2018 vs China at Dongguan Basketball Centre, China. Tall Blacks won 82-73
  • 26 Feb 2018 vs Korea at Jamsil Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea. Tall Blacks won 93-84
  • 28 Jun 2018 vs Hong Kong at Energy Events Centre, Rotorua. Tall Blacks won 124-65
  • 1 Jul 2018 vs China at Spark Arena, Auckland. Tall Blacks won 67-57
  • 13 Sep 2018 vs Syria, Nouhad Nawfal Stadium, Zouk Mikael, Lebanon Tall Blacks won 107-66
  • 17 Sep 2018 vs Lebanon, Energy Events Centre, Rotorua. Tall Blacks won 63-60
  • 29 Nov 2018 vs Jordan at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch. Tall Blacks won 95-69
  • 2 Dec 2018 vs Syria, TSB Bank Arena, Wellington. Tall Blacks won 97-74

2019 Fiba World Cup

In the 2019 version held in China the Tall Blacks played a total of 5 games. Finishing 3rd in Group F with a 1-2 record, landing them in the 17-32 classification round.

Overall The Tall Blacks had notable wins over Japan 11-81, Turkey 102-101 (Class round) and Montenegro 93-83 (group play) to finish on a 3-2 record. The group losses came against Brazil and Greece.

A final ranking of 19th was picked up.

2022 FIBA Asia Cup

Starting in Group D - The Tall Blacks came out with a 3-2 record record, beating India and the Phippines but losing to Lebanon (72-86).

Setting up a playoff tilt against Syria which they won 97-58. After knocking over South Korea in the 1/4 finals (88-78) , the Tall Blacks faced Australia in the Semi finals. A loss 85-76 loss sent them to a 3rd place bronze play off with Jordan.

New Zealand were able to get past Jordan with a 83 - 75 win, picking up there first medal in 2 Attempts at the FIBA Asia Cup.

NZ lead the tourny (Rebounds) 49.6 rpg.

Finishing with a 5-2 record with their world ranking changing from 27th to 24th.

2023 FIBA World Cup Qualification

Post Covid restrictions The Tall Blacks played a game against the Philippines in Auckland on 3 July as part of the third window of the World Cup qualifying series. It was the first time the Tall Blacks played on home court since beating Syria 97–74 in Wellington in 2018.[3]

New Zealand held 2 more games in Feb of 2023 beating Saudi Arabia in Christchurch 110-63 and then 2 days later toppling Lebanon 106-91 in Wellington. This locked in a spot for the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

2023 FIBA World Cup

Drawn in the same group as the USA, Greece and Jordan in Manilla. The Tall blacks made it through to the 17-32 place classification round after 2 losses to USA and Greece and hard fought OT win against Jordan.

New Zealand played a further 2 games against Mexico and Eygpt, Spliting to a 1-1 record to end the Tournment in 22nd Position with a 2-3 record.

2024 Paris Olympics

In finishing 22nd overall and placing higher than five other teams in the Asia / Oceania region, the Tall Blacks will be one of 24 teams heading to the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournaments in June next year, at a location yet to be confirmed. From this tournament, the top four countries will earn tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

2025 FIBA Asia Cup

New Zealand has been drawn into pool B of the Asia 2025 Cup Qualifiers alongside the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. They will play each team twice, on a 1 away 1 home schedule.

The windows for these games are Feb 2024, Nov 2024 and Feb 2025.

Notable achievements

Summer Olympic Games

FIBA World Cup

FIBA Oceania Championship

Year Position Host
19712 FIBA Oceania Championship 1971
19752 FIBA Oceania Championship 1975
19782 FIBA Oceania Championship 1978
19792 FIBA Oceania Championship 1979
19812 FIBA Oceania Championship 1981
19832 FIBA Oceania Championship 1983
19852 FIBA Oceania Championship 1985
19872 FIBA Oceania Championship 1987
19892 FIBA Oceania Championship 1989
19912 FIBA Oceania Championship 1991
19932 FIBA Oceania Championship 1993
19952 FIBA Oceania Championship 1995
19972 FIBA Oceania Championship 1997
19991 FIBA Oceania Championship 1999
20011 FIBA Oceania Championship 2001
20032 FIBA Oceania Championship 2003
20052 FIBA Oceania Championship 2005
20072 FIBA Oceania Championship 2007
20091 FIBA Oceania Championship 2009
20112 FIBA Oceania Championship 2011
20132 FIBA Oceania Championship 2013
20152 FIBA Oceania Championship 2015

Commonwealth Games

FIBA Stanković Cup

FIBA Asia Cup

William Jones Cup

New Zealand played 6 games, coming away with a perfect record.

AusTiger International Basketball Tournament

New Zealand joined Italy, France and Serbia in a pre world cup tournment in China. Coming away with a 1-2 record, picking up a 88-82 win over Italy.

FIBA Super Cup 2023

Held in Germany, The Tall Blacks had 2 games against Canada and China in the Supercup. Registering a 107-76 loss vs. Canada and a 69-68 loss vs. China.

FIBA 2023 Solidarity Cup

A single game that resulted in a 88-81 lost to at the time world #10 Italy in China.

Team

Current roster

Roster for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[4][5]

New Zealand national basketball team – 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
F 1 Reuben Te Rangi (C) 28 – (1994-10-14)14 October 1994 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) South East Melbourne Phoenix Australia
PG 2 Izayah Le'afa 26 – (1996-11-07)7 November 1996 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
PF 3 Finn Delany 28 – (1995-08-12)12 August 1995 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
PG 4 Taylor Britt 26 – (1996-09-22)22 September 1996 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Canterbury Rams New Zealand
PG 5 Shea Ili 30 – (1992-10-06)6 October 1992 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Melbourne United Australia
PF 7 Yanni Wetzell 27 – (1996-07-08)8 July 1996 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Alba Berlin Germany
PG 11 Flynn Cameron 23 – (2000-06-30)30 June 2000 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Melbourne United Australia
PF 16 Tohi Smith-Milner 27 – (1995-10-06)6 October 1995 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Adelaide 36ers Australia
SF 20 Jordan Ngatai 30 – (1993-03-07)7 March 1993 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Hawke's Bay Hawks New Zealand
SF 22 Hyrum Harris 27 – (1996-06-03)3 June 1996 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) Perth Wildcats Australia
G 23 Walter Brown 20 – (2003-05-23)23 May 2003 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Tasmania JackJumpers Australia
PF 42 Isaac Fotu 29 – (1993-12-18)18 December 1993 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Utsunomiya Brex Japan
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 25 August 2023

Notable players

Probably the most well-known former New Zealand Tall Black player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is former San Antonio Spurs forward Sean Marks. Another New Zealand player, former University of Wisconsin star Kirk Penney, briefly played in the NBA, and later played in the EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Žalgiris, after being released by the New Zealand Breakers. In past generations, players such as Stan Hill and Glen Denham, were well revered and respected players, who were the face of New Zealand basketball.

Past rosters

1986 World Championship: finished 21st among 24 teams

Gilbert Gordon, Peter Pokai, Stan Hill, Neil Stephens, Dave Edmonds, Ian Webb, Dave Mason, Tony Smith, Colin Crampton, Frank Mulvihill, Glen Denham, John Rademakers (Head Coach: Robert Bishop)

2000 Olympic Games: finished 11th among 12 teams

Sean Marks, Pero Cameron, Mark Dickel, Phill Jones, Kirk Penney, Robert Hickey, Nenad Vučinić, Tony Rampton, Paul Henare, Brad Riley, Ralph Lattimore, Peter Pokai (Head Coach: Keith Mair)

2002 World Championship: finished 4th among 16 teams

Sean Marks, Pero Cameron, Mark Dickel, Phill Jones, Kirk Penney, Robert Hickey, Dillon Boucher, Damon Rampton, Ed Book, Paul Henare, Paora Winitana, Judd Flavell (Head Coach: Tab Baldwin)

2004 Olympic Games: finished 10th among 12 teams

Sean Marks, Mark Dickel, Phill Jones, Pero Cameron, Kirk Penney, Dillon Boucher, Ed Book, Paul Henare, Paora Winitana, Tony Rampton, Aaron Olson, Craig Bradshaw (Head Coach: Tab Baldwin)

2006 World Championship: finished 16th among 24 teams

Kirk Penney, Pero Cameron, Phill Jones, Mark Dickel, Casey Frank, Paul Henare, Dillon Boucher, Paora Winitana, Tony Rampton, Craig Bradshaw, Aaron Olson, Mika Vukona (Head Coach: Tab Baldwin)

2010 World Championship: finished 12th among 24 teams

Thomas Abercrombie, Benny Anthony, Craig Bradshaw, Pero Cameron, Michael Fitchett, Casey Frank, Phill Jones, Jeremy Kench, Kirk Penney, Alex Pledger, Lindsay Tait, Mika Vukona (Head Coach: Nenad Vučinić)

New Zealand Tall Blacks – 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClub
PG 0 Shea Ili 22 – (1992-10-06)6 October 1992 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
G/F 1 Reuben Te Rangi 20 – (1994-10-14)14 October 1994 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Brisbane Bullets Australia
PG 4 Lindsay Tait 33 – (1982-01-08)8 January 1982 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Super City Rangers New Zealand
SG 5 Everard Bartlett 29 – (1986-02-06)6 February 1986 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Southland Sharks New Zealand
PG 6 Jarrod Kenny 29 – (1985-09-17)17 September 1985 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Perth Wildcats Australia
F 7 Mika Vukona (C) 33 – (1982-05-13)13 May 1982 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
G 9 Corey Webster 26 – (1988-11-29)29 November 1988 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
SF 10 Thomas Abercrombie 28 – (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
F/C 11 Tai Wynyard 17 – (1998-02-05)5 February 1998 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) Kentucky Wildcats United States
F/C 12 Isaac Fotu 21 – (1993-12-18)18 December 1993 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) CAI Zaragoza Spain
G/F 13 Dion Prewster 25 – (1990-01-10)10 January 1990 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Wellington Saints New Zealand
C 14 Robert Loe 24 – (1991-08-05)5 August 1991 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 15 August 2015
New Zealand national basketball team – 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
G 0 Tai Webster 24 – (1995-05-29)29 May 1995 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Galatasaray Turkey
F 3 Finn Delany 24 – (1995-08-12)August 12, 1995 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
PG 5 Shea Ili 26 – (1992-10-06)October 6, 1992 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Melbourne United Australia
PG 6 Jarrod Kenny 33 – (1985-09-17)17 September 1985 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Cairns Taipans Australia
SG 9 Corey Webster (C) 30 – (1988-11-29)29 November 1988 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
SF 10 Thomas Abercrombie 32 – (1987-07-05)5 July 1987 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
C 14 Robert Loe 28 – (1991-08-05)5 August 1991 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
PF 16 Tohi Smith-Milner 23 – (1995-10-06)October 6, 1995 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) Melbourne United Australia
SF 20 Jordan Ngatai 26 – (1993-03-07)March 7, 1993 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) New Zealand Breakers New Zealand
SG 25 Ethan Rusbatch 27 – (1992-05-04)4 May 1992 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Hawke's Bay Hawks New Zealand
C 35 Alex Pledger 32 – (1987-03-27)March 27, 1987 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) Melbourne United Australia
PF 42 Isaac Fotu 25 – (1993-12-18)18 December 1993 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Universo Treviso Basket Italy
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the tournament
  • Age – describes age
    on 31 August 2019

Kit

Manufacturer

2015: Peak[6]

References

  1. ↑ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  2. ↑ https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/40344
  3. ↑ "Tall Blacks to play first home game since 2018". Otago Daily Times Online News. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "Tall Blacks Name Final Squad of 12 For FIBA World Cup". Basketball New Zealand. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "Team roster: New Zealand" (PDF). FIBA. 25 August 2023.
  6. ↑ 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship – New Zealand, FIBA.com. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
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