New Zealand 3on3 Junior World Champions!

Harbour Basketball’s Isaac Fotu and Tai Webster were part of the New Zealand 3on3 team that won gold at the inaugural Youth World Championships in Rimini, Italy on Sunday.

Out of 36 team the kiwi boys prevailed beating Bulgaria in a barn burner 19-18 in the final. Isaac Fotu scored the decisive basket for New Zealand.

This win can only be described as the biggest result in New Zealand junior basketball history and rivals the success of the Tall Blacks at the 2002 World Championships.

The team managed to beat world powers Serbia and Italia in the quarter and semi final respectively.

Below is an article from Fiba.com

The boys world 3x3 youth basketball championship has been won by New Zealand after Isaac Fotu drove to the baseline and scored the winning basket in the dying seconds edging out Bulgaria 19-18 for the title.

In the new tournament played at Rimini, Italy, New Zealand had the upper hand for much of the first half and early part of the second, going up 12-8 at one stage.

However, Bulgaria fought back, thanks to the clutch shooting of Tencho Tenchev, who earlier in the day won the Boys Shootout.

Tenchev connected from beyond the arc time and time again as the Bulgarians tied the game at 14 all.

There was little to separate both sides as the game went into the closing minutes and they were deadlocked at 18-18.

With seven seconds remaining, New Zealand went to Fotu and he did not disappoint, driving down the right side of the basket and scoring the game-winner from inside.

 

The New Zealand team comprised of Fotu (Rangitoto College), Tai Webster (Westlake Boys), James Ashby (Auckland Grammar) and Reuben Te Rangi (Auckland Grammar), coached by Anthony Corban.

New Zealand and Bulgaria were joined on the podium by tournament hosts Italy, who saw off Estonia 21-13 in the bronze medal game.

Highlights from semi final and final

 

 

Player Profile Isaac Fotu