AUCKLAND (New Zealand) - Aotearoa’s role as host takes centre stage as FIBA and Basketball New Zealand unveil the new visual identity for the FIBA U15 Oceania Cup and FIBA U15 Women’s Oceania Cup, crafted by a New Zealand–based designer.
The tohu-inspired logos honour the cultural foundations of New Zealand while celebrating the shared identity, movement and connection that unite Oceania’s nations, bought to life by SixOneNine. The identity marks a significant moment for the event, a youth competition grounded in regional pride, cultural storytelling and the energy of the next generation.
At the heart of the design sits the basketball, the anchor that brings young athletes together from across the Pacific. Surrounding it, the layered forms draw inspiration from both Lalaga, the traditional woven patterns that speak to connection and craftsmanship, and the ripple of the ocean, reflecting how one player, one team and one moment can send energy across an entire region.
The logo incorporates Unaunahi, the overlapping fish-scale pattern symbolising unity, protection and collective strength. Each scale represents an individual contributing to something greater, players forming teams, teams forming communities and nations forming Oceania.
Encircling the Unaunahi is a ring of Nifo, representing resilience, determination and the competitive spirit of Pacific peoples. The outer layers expand with movement and rhythm, forming a bold expression of Oceania’s diversity, youth energy and shared identity. Together, the tohu captures the journey of young athletes travelling to Aotearoa, each bringing their own culture, pride and story to the court.
Beyond the tohu itself, the event identity is supported by a background inspired by Ngā Hau e Whā - the four winds that have long guided people to the shores of Aotearoa. This pattern reflects the many pathways that bring young athletes from across Oceania together, carried by the winds and connected by the ocean.
For this years event, this symbolises Aotearoa as the host whenua, the place where these journeys converge. The background’s flowing forms echo movement, direction and arrival, reinforcing the idea that each team brings its own whakapapa, culture and pride into a shared space. Together with the tohu, it creates a layered visual story of connection — to land, to ocean, to heritage and to one another.
FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins, said the identity reflects both the cultural significance of Aotearoa and the shared spirit of the region.
"This logo is a celebration of who we are as Oceania," Ms Jenkins said. "It carries the stories of our cultures, the movement of our ocean and the pride of the young athletes who will gather in Aotearoa. Every layer reflects connection, to place, to people and to each other. We’re proud to launch an identity that honours New Zealand’s cultural foundations while representing the strength, unity and future of basketball across our region.”
The FIBA U15 Oceania Cup and FIBA U15 Women’s Oceania Cup represent more than competition, they are a celebration of identity, youth development and regional connection. This new logo will appear across courts, uniforms, digital platforms and event environments, becoming a visual anchor for this years edition of the events.
As teams prepare to gather in Auckland, the tohu stands as a powerful reminder of the energy that begins with one player, one team and expands outward across an entire region.
THE FIBA U15 Oceania Cup and FIBA U15 Women's Oceania Cup will be hosted by Basketball New Zealand in Auckland from November 30 to December 5. The event is supported by Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with the top two teams qualifying for the FIBA U16 Asia Cup and FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup. The third and fourth placed teams in the FIBA U15 Women's Oceania Cup will qualify through to the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup - Division B.