Massive World Cup build-up for New Zealand highlighted by games against France and Serbia
AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - The Tall Blacks are hitting the ground running with an impressive lineup of tuneup games set to get the national team ready for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
This grand build-up prepared by Basketball New Zealand will feature the Tall Blacks colliding with 2 teams in the top 5 of the FIBA World Rankings - France and Serbia together with more games against a third European side, Italy, the hottest team in Asia right now, Japan, and talent-laden Canada.
"It is vital we are ready for that level of basketball. These matches against world class teams will help us achieve that."
Basketball New Zealand CEO Iain Potter hopes that these will boost the Tall Blacks' chances of turning a lot of heads and making a big splash in China.
"These games are an amazing opportunity for the Tall Blacks," he said. "This is also a great incentive for our players, a chance for them to show what they can do against very high level opposition."
Not a lot of people may be aware of how New Zealand have actually been quite successful at the World Cup, managing to advance past the group stage in the last 4 editions.
Prior to these games, the Tall Blacks will have a 4-day camp where all players who saw action for the national team in the 6 Asian Qualifiers windows will be invited to attend. From there, 14 players will be included in the initial leg of their World Cup build-up.
They first play back-to-back games against Japan before their back-to-back series against the Canadians. After that, the Tall Blacks travel to China, where they will go head-to-head with the French, Serbians and Italians.
Not surprisingly, head coach Paul Henare is excited about what Basketball New Zealand have set up, and he's aching to get it all started.
"The team at Basketball New Zealand deserve huge praise for what they have put in place for us to be ready and at our best at the World Cup," he said. "Playing through the Asian Qualifiers was a massive test we passed with flying colours, but the World Cup will go up another couple of notches in intensity and quality. It is vital we are ready for that level of basketball. These matches against world class teams will help us achieve that."
New Zealand have been drawn into Group F with Greece, Brazil and Montenegro and will begin their World Cup campaign on September 1 in the city of Nanjing.
FIBA
