Harrison selected in New Zealand Olympic Qualifiers Squad

New Zealand national team head coach Pero Cameron has today named an extended squad of 19 athletes in contention for the Tall Black’s upcoming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece – with a place at the Paris Olympics 2024 on the line. 

The 14 athletes in the Tall Black’s extended squad for the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers are: Flynn Cameron, Finn Delany, Ben Gold, Hyrum Harris, Tyrell Harrison, Shea Ili, Izayah Le’Afa, Jordan Ngatai, Ethan Rusbatch, Reuben Te Rangi, Tom Vodanovich, Sam Waardenburg, Corey Webster and Yanni Wetzell.

In addition, five non-travelling reserves have been named as Taylor Britt, Dan Fotu, Sam Timmins, Taine Murray and Sam Mennenga. These players will be available for selection into the final squad in the event of injury or other unavailability.

The squad of 14 will first travel to Helsinki, Finland on 20 June to compete in a pair of friendly games against top-level European competition; facing world #20 ranked Finland on 26 June, followed by world #15 ranked Poland on 29 June.

Following this, a final Tall Blacks squad of 12 will travel to Piraeus, Greece from 2-7 July 2024 to participate in one of four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments being run by FIBA. 

Joining New Zealand in this tournament will be opponents Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Egypt and Dominican Republic – with the team who finishes first earning a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

If the Tall Blacks are able to win this qualifying tournament, they would progress to the Olympics for the first time in 20 years; their last appearance coming at the Athens Games back in 2004. 

Harrison last suited up for the Tall Blacks at the Asia Cup Qualifiers in February earlier this year.

Tall Blacks Schedule

Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament Friendly Games

NZL vs Finland – time TBC, Wed 26 June

NZL vs Poland – time TBC, Sat 29 June

FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Croatia vs NZL – 2.30am NZT, Thu 4 July

NZL vs Slovenia – 2.30am NZT, Fri 5 July

Tall Blacks Travelling Squad of 14 – FIBA Olympic Qualifiers 2024

Flynn Cameron, Taranaki Airs / Melbourne United

Finn Delany, Casademont Zaragoza / BNZ Breakers

Ben Gold, Marquette University

Hyrum Harris, Wellington Saints / Perth Wildcats

Tyrell Harrison, Southern Districts Spartans / Brisbane Bullets

Shea Ili, Geelong United / Melbourne United

Izayah Le’Afa, Wellington Saints / Sydney Kings

Jordan Ngatai, Hawkes Bay Hawks

Ethan Rusbatch, Franklin Bulls

Reuben Te Rangi, Auckland Tuatara / S.E. Melbourne Phoenix

Tom Vodanovich, Auckland Tuatara

Sam Waardenburg, Cairns Taipans

Corey Webster, Auckland Tuatara / Perth Wildcats

Yanni Wetzell, Alba Berlin