10 NBL players to represent the Tall Blacks

Monday, November 4, 2024

"This is an exciting group, a young group playing at a high level for their Australian clubs."

Basketball New Zealand has announced 10 NBL players will suit up for the Tall Blacks in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Headlined by Cairns star Sam Waardenburg, the roster is stacked with high-level NBL talent. Notably, Brisbane’s Tyrell Harrison, New Zealand’s Sam Mennenga and Melbourne’s Flynn Cameron will all line up.

On the coaching side, former South East Melbourne Phoenix assistant coach Judd Flavell will undertake his first assignment as the national team’s head coach, having been announced in the role last month.

“This is an exciting group, a young group playing at a high level for their Australian clubs. Look at Tyrell, Sam Mennenga, Sam Waardenburg, Flynn, Izayah (Le'Afa), Max (Darling), Hyrum (Harris) – all in the early to mid-twenties and all playing vital roles at very good clubs in a very good league that is gaining worldwide attention,” Flavell said.

“Add that experience of Corey (Webster), Tom (Vodanovich) and Taylor (Britt) – and the chance to integrate the energy and excitement of the younger players in Walter (Brown), Kaia (Isaac) and Oscar (Goodman) and I think we have a fantastic blend in this group and for these two testing games.”

Having won their past two qualifiers in February, the Tall Blacks only need two more victories to qualify for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, with three additional qualifiers remaining from February next year through to the tournament's start.

The qualifiers begin on November 21, as the Philippines hosts the Tall Blacks. Their second clash will be on home soil against the Chinese Taipai in Christchurch on November 25.

New Zealand came third in their last appearance at an Asia Cup (2022), taking down Jordan 83-75. While Australia came away with gold over Lebanon.

See the full roster below:
Kaia Isaac, New Zealand Breakers
Flynn Cameron, Melbourne United
Izayah Le’afa, Sydney Kings
Walter Brown, Tasmania JackJumpers
Hyrum Harris, Perth Wildcats
Tom Vodanovich, South East Melbourne Phoenix
Max Darling, New Zealand Breakers
Sam Waardenburg, Cairns Taipans
Sam Mennenga, New Zealand Breakers
Tyrell Harrison Brisbane Bullets
Oscar Goodman, NBA Global Academy
Taylor Britt, Canterbury Rams, (NZNBL)
Corey Webster, Auckland Tuatara (NZNBL)