Shea Ili headlines Tall Blacks World Cup Qualifiers team

Reigning NBL Best Sixth Man and Melbourne United SHARE Award winner Shea Ili has been named in New Zealand Basketball’s 16-man World Cup Qualifier roster, alongside NBL22 and current Sandringham Sabres teammate Dion Prewster. 

Ili is coming off perhaps the best individual season of his career, and has carried his hot form into the NBL1, where he is averaging over 22 points and six assists per game for Sandringham.

It will be a momentous occasion for the Tall Blacks, as their June 30 game against the Phillipines to be played on home soil since 2018, with Eventfinda Stadium expected to be a sell-out crowd on the night. 

The Tall Blacks, like the Boomers, are one of 15 teams competing in the FIAB World Cup Asian Qualifiers, with New Zealand sitting on top of Pool A, and one of eight teams to have so far qualified for the second round. 

This game will be played in the third of six windows, with the FIBA Basketball World Cup due to tip off on 25 August 2023.

See the full list below:

Corey Webster, Perth Wildcats / Franklin Bulls

Dion Prewster, Sandringham Sabres

Ethan Rusbatch, Hawkes Bay Hawks

Finn Delany, NZ Breakers

Flynn Cameron, De Paul University

Hyrum Harris, Adelaide 36ers / Hawkes Bay Hawks

Isaac Davidson, NZ Breakers / Franklin Bulls

Jordan Ngatai, Cairns Taipans / Wellington Saints

Kruz Perrott-Hunt, University of South Dakota

Sam Mennenga, Davidson College

Sam Timmins, NZ Breakers / Otago Nuggets

Shea Ili, Melbourne United / Sandringham Sabres

Taki Fahrensohn, Ehingen / Auckland Tuatara

Taylor Britt, Canterbury Rams

Tohi Smith-Milner, South East Melbourne Phoenix / Sandringham Sabres

Tom Vodanovich, NZ Breakers / Wellington Saints