TALL Blacks head coach Paul Henare has named the travelling roster of 12, which includes Cambewarra product James Hunter, for the upcoming Asia Cup in Lebanon - with the team also set for preparation games in China.
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The dozen players have been named after three days of a six-day camp in Auckland, and will scrimmage against China in two closed door games this week at Bruce Pulman Arena, before departing for China on Wednesday night.
Of the 15 players at the camp, those not to travel are Angus McWilliam, Callum McRae and Quinn Clinton, all were members of the Junior Tall Blacks that attended the FIBA U19 World Cup in Egypt.
Henare spoke about the three players not to be selected, in the context of the effort of all players attending the camp.
“This has been an invaluable experience for every player,” Henare said.
“Angus, Callum and Quinn are part of our future and for this week in camp, they are very much part of the present as they understand what it means to be a Tall Black.
“While they have not been chosen to go further at this point, there is no question the black jersey is there for them in the future, they know the progress they need to make and the continued hard work that has to be put in.”
In naming the 12, Henare has five Tall Black debutants on his hands, with Isaac Letoa, Luke Aston, James Hunter, Dyson King-Hawea and Sam Timmins all poised to represent at the highest level for the first time (Timmins has previously attended a camp).
Henare is excited about that prospect, as greater depth is added to the game at the top level ahead of a busy few years of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the prospect of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“The great thing about young players is their eagerness to learn and the freshness with which they approach everything,” he said.
“Many of them have had a taste of international basketball with the Select team, but they know that this is another level - I am fascinated to see how they react to the chance they have been given.
“We have spoken about our goals, we have spoken about what is expected of this group and they understand the opportunity that is in front of them, as individuals and as a group.
“The Asia Cup is a great opportunity for us, the first of many international challenges over the next 12 months, and it is important that we continue to build the depth of our playing pool, and ensure that we have players with international experience to call upon at any time.
The team will be led by Reuben Te Rangi, with Finn Delany and Shea Ili also named to a three-man leadership group, but Henare stressed that all players are expected to lead in their own way.
“I am extremely proud of Reuben and his development these past few years,” he said.
“I have known him a long time and watched him progress as a player and as a man, he has been superb in camp and has shown natural leadership qualities that will be important to this group - he was a unanimous choice amongst the management team for the captaincy.
“But everyone will be expected to pull their weight, for such a new group, it is important that they all find ways to contribute, whether vocally, through their actions or in their contribution to the team on and off court.”
Tall Blacks Asia Cup squad: Shea Ili, Derone Raukawa, Isaac Letoa, Reuben Te Rangi, Ethan Rusbatch, Luke Aston, Jordan Ngatai, Dyson King-Hawea, Finn Delany, Tohi Smith-Milner, James Hunter, Sam Timmins.