tall blacks selection - timmins & webster

Otago Nuggets duo Sam Timmins and Tai Webster have been named in the New Zealand Tall Blacks squad for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Tai Webster first debuted for the team in the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, before joining his brother on the team at both FIBA Basketball World Cups in 2014 and 2019. 

Sam Timmins was a key player on the Tall Blacks team that won bronze at the FIBA Asia Cup last July, making seven appearances and leading the team in both total rebounds and blocks. 

The Tall Blacks were placed in Group C in April’s FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw, the side set to take on the United States, Jordan and Greece. The games will take place in the Philippines in August this year.   

The side is set to take to the court against Japan, Germany and China in a series of friendlies in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

A final squad of 12 will be selected prior to the start of the FIBA World Cup on 27 August.

Tall Blacks World Cup Preliminary Schedule 

2023 Ota Tournament, Japan:

Tall Blacks v Japan Game 1 – 2 August 2023

Tall Blacks v Japan Game 2 – 4 August 2023

Basketball SuperCup, Germany:

Tall Blacks v Canada – 12 August 2023

Tall Blacks v China OR Germany – 13 August 2023

FIBA Solidarity Cup, China:

Tall Blacks v China – 18 August 2023

Tall Blacks v Italy – 21 August 2023

FIBA Basketball World Cup Group Phase, Philippines :

Tall Blacks v USA – 27 August 2023

Tall Blacks v Jordan – 28 August 2023

Tall Blacks v Greece - 31 August 2023