The MBO Tall Blacks team to tour Japan and continue preparation for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup has been named, with Head Coach Paul Henare inking in 14 players from the selection camp in Auckland. 

No fewer than seven of the fourteen players named have played representative basketball for Harbour.

The most recent is Year 12 student Taine Murray who was a member of the Harbour U19 National Championship winning team this year. He was named to the Tournament Team at the championships held in Dunedin in June. 

“Taine has impressed us all these past few days and quite simply played his way into the 14,” said Tall Blacks Head Coach Paul Henare. “He has a composure beyond his years and is going to develop into a very good player, but already at 17 has shown that he feels at home at this level.”

Murray was a little lost for words when he heard his name read out by Henare in the team meeting on Sunday morning.

“Hearing my name called was extremely humbling and I am so grateful for the opportunity that lays before me. It has been amazing learning from some of the finest players and coaches that New Zealand has to offer during the course of the camp, and I am just so excited for the next few weeks.”

The other six Harbour representatives are Tom Abercrombie, playing his third World Cup, while Jarrod Kenny, Corey Webster, Tai Webster, Rob Loe and Isaac Fotu are all attending their second World Cup tournament.

“We have chosen a combination of players that complement each other on and off the floor. They understand what we stand for and what we are looking to achieve in China and will do anything for each other,” said Henare.

“A number of our decisions were very tough, with our final selection meeting going long into the night last night. That is testament to that depth we are developing, that a number of players will rightly feel unlucky not to have made the 14 today, but their time will come in the black singlet.

“We believe we have a balanced group of players, a group that is young in age but long in experience and understands the pressure we will face in the weeks ahead and the opportunity that is in front of them. Our focus is now solely on being ready to face Brazil on September 1^st, we have a lot of work to do but can’t wait,” added Henare.

Tom Abercrombie is one of the ‘young’ veterans in the team at 32 and attending his third World Cup, he will be amongst the leaders in the team and is excited for what the next five weeks holds.

“Being in the Tall Blacks environment is always energizing, I love being a part of this team and there is an added edge for a World Cup campaign, we have seen and felt that already these past few days. Of course, we will miss Mika and Reuben, that has been well documented this week, but today is about the players named and I am excited to be a part of a team that can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and in typical Tall Blacks fashion take on the world and look to upset the odds along the way.”

MBO Tall Blacks 14 to travel to Japan and Australia

Guards: Shea Ili, Wellington Saints/Melbourne United; Jarrod Kenny, Bay Hawk’s/Cairns Taipans; Tai Webster, Galatasaray; Corey Webster, NZ Breakers; Taine Murray, Rosmini College; Ethan Rusbatch, Bay Hawks;

Small Forwards: Tom Abercrombie, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers; Jordan Ngatai, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers; Tom Vodanovich, Southland Sharks/NZ Breakers;

Power Forwards: Isaac Fotu, Universo Treviso; Finn Delany, Nelson Giants/NZ Breakers;

Centres: Alex Pledger, Southland Sharks/Melbourne United; Rob Loe, Wellington Saints/NZ Breakers; Tohi Smith-Milner, Melbourne United

The 14 players will take part in a 9-day camp in Japan, including two games against their hosts, before then heading to Sydney to take on Canada. It is following those two games on August 20 and 21 that the final 12 for the World Cup will be named.