The legendary “haka” will be danced again at the FIBA World Cup, considering that New Zealand will compete for the sixth time in a row.
Pero Cameron leads this team as head coach, and Basketball Sphere presents their interesting story.
FIBA World Cup – New Zealand: Previous editions and the best results of the national team
New Zealand qualified for the World Cup for the seventh (six consecutive) time in its history. After their debut in 1986, Pero Cameron, Sean Marks, Kirk Penney, Mark Dickel, Phil Jones, Paul Henare and Dillon Boucher “stole the glory” in Indianapolis in 2002.
In the semifinals they were defeated by Yugoslavia 89:78. After that, and in the match for bronze medal they lost to Germany. That tournament will forever be written in the history books of New Zealand.
FIBA World Cup – New Zealand: Road to Mundobasket
New Zealand easily booked its place for the World Cup. In the first part of the qualifiers they outplayed the Philippines and India twice. Then, they got Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as opponents in the next stage.
Both Jordan and Lebanon defeated them once, but New Zealand still finished in first place with a 8-2 record. On that way, they checked their tickets to Manila.
FIBA World Cup – New Zealand: Roster and focus on those who are most expected
Five of 12 national team members that played in China in 2019 are on the extended list for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. According to stats, New Zealand recorded an average of 99.4 points per game at the previous Mundobasket. That’s their style and it won’t change at this tournament either. Expect a lot of points in “Tall Blacks” games.
Webster brothers (Corey and Tai) were national team leaders in the past period, but now none of them will be there as they were “crossed” from the list. Both spent the previous season in New Zealand’s domestic league.
Finn Delany and Yani Wetzell with experience from Germany are the tandem that can bring extra quality in the paint. They will definitely be starting options in frontcourt. The first of them won the FIBA Champions League and played in the Bundesliga final with Bonn. Wetzell showed great progress during the season in Alba Berlin.
Reuben Te Rangi did not play in China due to injury. Although he is not at the same level as four years ago, his role in the national team is special. Point guard Flynn Cameron played only two games during the qualifiers with average of 10 points and four assists. It remains to be seen how many opportunities he will get from his father during the World Cup.
Isaac Fotu, Shea Ili, Tohi Smith-Milner and Jordan Ngatai represented the “Tail Blacks” four years ago and can help younger players like Cameron with their experience. Hyrum Harris and Taylor Britt had a big contribution in the qualifiers and both should travel to the World Cup as part of the final roster.
FIBA World Cup – New Zealand: A word more about head coach – Pero Cameron
Many remember current New Zealand head coach better as a player. Pero Cameron is a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame and captain of the national team from 2000 to 2010. He started coaching immediately after his career as a player.
Cameron averaged 14.7 points, five rebounds and 3.6 assists at the already mentioned FIBA World Cup in Indianapolis. He led the team to the best result in history and was part of all-tournament team. Cameron was the only member of the “best five” who did not play in the NBA at the moment.
So far, all his coaching engagements were in New Zealand. Cameron joined the national team in 2019. Last season, he spent as assistant coach in Brisbane Bullets.
Interesting fact: Flynn Cameron is the son of the head coach. Pero’s second son, Tobias, together with his brother, performed at the Junior World Championship in 2019 under the flag of New Zealand.
FIBA World Cup – New Zealand: Expectations
It’s really hard to have any expectations from New Zealand when you look at the World Cup groups. They will compete against United States, Greece and Jordan. It is quite clear that New Zealand and Jordan are huge underdogs with minimal chances to advance in the next stage.
Realistically, New Zealand will play against Jordan to avoid last place. If they beat rival from Asia, they will get at least a shot in the last round versus Greece.