We start our weekly roundup with the news that New Zealand has suffered a second straight loss at the FIBA Under 17 Basketball World Cup in Spain, beaten 120-72 by Serbia in a high scoring encounter on Sunday night.

New Zealand were well served by Harbour forward Julius Halaifonua who amassed a game high 26 points. The Rosmini College centre made a couple of 3-pointers in his 10 from 16 (63%) from the field and 4 from 5 free-throws. 

New Zealand are in Pool A playing France, Serbia and Canada – all world Top-10 ranked teams compared with New Zealand’s ranking of #30.

Meanwhile the U17 Women’s National Team, emulated their male counterparts and secured an U17 World Cup berth having finished fourth at the FIBA Asia Championship in Jordan. Congratulations to Amy Pateman who is a member of the team.

The U17 Women’s FIBA World Cup to be played in Hungary later this month.

Congratulations to Ella Fotu and Tiarna Clarke named to the Commonwealth Games 3X3 team headed to Birmingham, England in August.

Having just returned from the World Cup in Belgium Tiarna Clarke is rested from the 3X3 Asia Cup being played in Singapore later this week. Ella makes the trip and there is also a call-up for Tayla Dalton to the Kiwi team. 

Corey Webster was the only former Harbour player on the Tall Blacks team that demolished the Philippines in front of a sell-out crowd at Eventfinda Stadium on Thursday night. Corey (11 points) was one of six New Zealanders in double figures in the 106-60 win.

With a number of regulars stepping aside the Tall Blacks squad named to attend selection camp for the Asia Cup in Indonesia later this month includes many younger players. Amongst them are uncapped Sam Mennenga along with Kruz Perrott-Hunt, Dan Fotu and Taine Murray.

A 24-man squad has been named to prepare for the trip to Indonesia from 12-24 July. The squad will be trimmed to 12 players in the coming days.

Northern Kāhu played their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa game on Sunday winning 50-46 in Dunedin against Southern Hoiho. Micaela Cocks added 6 rebounds to 8 points in the win.

With a short turnaround Kāhu meet Tokomanawa Queens at Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre on Monday night. All other home games will be played at Eventfinda Stadium beginning with Whai on July 13.

Finally, in a surprise move Auckland Tuatara have signed Kirk Penney for their remaining four regular season NBL games. Kirk is being used as short term signing to cover for the absence of import Chris Johnson and the injured Dan Fotu.

The former Tall Blacks and Harbour great will suit up for his first game against Canterbury Rams at Eventfinda Stadium on Sunday July 10.