NBL Talent Headlines Tall Blacks' World Cup Squad

New Zealand has named an extended 21 player squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, with the list of talent containing a bulk of current and former NBL stars.

Perth guard pair Corey and Tai Webster headline the extensive list of NBL talent, along with experienced campaigners Izayah Le’Afa, Reuben Te Rangi, Shea Ili and uncontracted pair Sam Timmins and Tohi Smith-Milner.

Emerging talents Sam Mennenga and Flynn Cameron have also been included, and could make their major international tournament debuts before playing their first minutes in the NBL. Tasmania development player Walter Brown is also in the mix for a spot in the final squad. 

Former NBL pair Yanni Wetzell and Finn Delany are among the 21 after playing their most recent seasons in Germany.

“We’ve lost a couple of really good players who have moved on this year,” head coach Pero Cameron said.

“We’re excited to see which new players can step into those gaps and that’s what the recent FIBA windows have been about.

“Player availability around these different windows has been a curse and a blessing for us to be honest. The positive is that it’s allowed us to see a lot of players and for them to get experience at that level.”

New Zealand will compete in three different friendly competitions prior to the competition.

They will play two games against Japan in the 2023 Ota Tournament before taking on Germany, Canada and China in a straight elimination tournament – they will play Canada in their semi-final before going on to face one of Germany or China in the 34^th Basketball Super Cup.

They will then play both China and Italy in the inaugural FIBA Solidarity Cup.

New Zealand’s group for the World Cup itself contains Greece, the United States, and Jordan.

Full New Zealand squad

Corey Webster – Perth Wildcats
Dan Fotu – New Zealand Breakers
Ethan Rutsbach – Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Finn Delany – Telekom Baskets Bonn
Flynn Cameron – Melbourne United
Hyrum Harris – Perth Wildcats
Isaac Fotu – Utsunomiya Brex
Izayah Le’Afa – New Zealand Breakers
Jordan Hunt – Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Jordan Ngatai – Hawke’s Bay Hawks
Kruz Perrott-Hunt – Auckland Tuatara
Reuben Te Rangi – South East Melbourne Phoenix
Sam Mennenga – Cairns Taipans
Sam Timmins – Otago Nuggets
Shea Ili – Melbourne United
Tai Webster – Perth Wildcats
Taine Murray – Virginia Cavaliers
Taylor Britt – Canterbury Rams
Tohi Smith-Milner – Wellington Saints
Walter Brown – Tasmania JackJumpers
Yanni Wetzell – Alba Berlin
Italics - NBL-rostered player