NZL - Ngatai scoops place on Tall Blacks roster

AUCKLAND (FIBA Oceania Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - American college basketball-bound Jordan Ngatai was handed a late opportunity to join the New Zealand Tall Blacks this summer and he's sure made the most of it.

The youngster has played well enough for the Kiwis to earn a place in the squad that is set to face Australia in the FIBA Oceania Championship this week.

Ngatai, who will very soon begin his career at Brigham Young University Hawaii, was called into the squad before the team's tour of China after Jeremiah Trueman picked up a foot injury and Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic was duly impressed.

Other youngsters to make the most of their chances with the Kiwis who have gained spots are Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Reuben Te Rangi and Jack Salt.

There are a few veterans in the Tall Blacks squad, including Mika Vukona, Alex Pledger and Casey Frank.

Everard Bartlett was also in the team that played at last year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela.

Australia have won four of the last five FIBA Oceania Championships.

New Zealand and Australia will both qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup once they play their Oceania Championship Games on 14 August in Auckland and 18 August in Canberra.

Tall Blacks squad: Jordan Ngatai, Everard Bartlett, Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Mika Vukona, Jarrod Kenny, Corey Webster, BJ Anthony, Reuben Te Rangi, Casey Frank, Jack Salt and Alex Pledger.

FIBA