NZL - Ngatai travels with Tall Blacks

AUCKLAND (FIBA Oceania Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Jordan Ngatai has an exciting challenge ahead as he prepares to become one of the latest players from New Zealand to play American college basketball.

The forward has decided to compete for Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

He should be in great shape and well prepared for the first practices in Hawaii because Ngatai is right now with the New Zealand Tall Blacks squad that is preparing to tour China as part of its preparations for the FIBA Oceania Championship.

His services were required because of injuries to point guard Josh Bloxham and Jeremiah Trueman.

Bloxham hurt his ankle in a practice game against the Philippines, who are in New Zealand getting ready for the FIBA Asia Championship, while forward Jeremiah Trueman has pulled out of the China tour after injuring his toe.

Ngatai has worn the New Zealand shirt before.

He represented his country at the 2009 FIBA Oceania U16 Championship and averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.

There are plenty of newcomers to the Tall Blacks set-up, including Reuben Te Rangi, Brook Ruscoe, Jack Salt and Izayah Mauriohooho Le'afa.

Mauriohooho Le’afa is a member of the country's under-18 side.

He was invited after getting a strong recommendation from his Wellington Saints coach, Tall Blacks legend Pero Cameron.

New Zealand do not have the pressure of having to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, with both the Tall Blacks and the Australia Boomers assured of spots in the 24-team field as Oceania's representatives.

Nevertheless, the Oceania Championship and all of the games in the build-up to the next month's series are important for the New Zealanders and especially those players who are looking to stake claims to places in the squad.

The Oceania Championship will be held in Auckland at the North Shore Events Centre.

FIBA