New Zealand ended up taking 22nd place at the World Cup thereby qualifying themselves for the OQTs as one of the best 16 remaining teams that did not advance directly to the Summer Olympics.

Record at the Olympics

The New Zealand legend Pero Cameron at the 2000 Olympics

Appearances: 2 -2000 (11th); 2004 (10th)
Medals: 0

Recent OQT history*

* Since 2008

New Zealand celebrate at the 2016 OQT in Manila

New Zealand have participated in the OQT in 2008, 2012 and 2016 and pulled out of the qualifying event for the 2020 Olympics.

After losing to hosts Greece in the Quarter-Finals in 2008 OQT in Athens, New Zealand failed to get out of the group stage in 2012 in Venezuela.

At the 2016 OQT in Manila, New Zealand defeated the hosts Philippines 89-80 and lost 66-59 to France in the group stage. The Tall Blacks were then beaten 78-72 by Canada in the Semi-Finals.

Last Olympics appearance

Kirk Penney at the 2004 Olympics

After debuting at the 2000 Olympics in Australia, New Zealand qualified for the 2004 Athens Games as the FIBA Oceania runners-up. That period also included the Tall Blacks making history at the 2002 World Cup, where they sensationally reached the Semi-Finals.

The generation of Pero Cameron, Phill Jones, Kirk Penney, Sean Marks, Mark Dickel, and Paul Henare came into 2004 Olympics with the confidence from two summers earlier. That confidence took a hit right away in Athens with a 71-69 loss versus Italy. And things were looking even bleaker after losing 69-62 to China.

The Tall Blacks fought back for a thrilling 90-87 victory over Serbia and Montenegro before falling to Argentina 98-94 and finishing the Olympic group stage with an 88-84 defeat at the hands of Spain.

New Zealand moved onto the 9-10 Classfication and were walloped 98-80 by Oceania rivals Australia to finish in 10th place.

The OQT Group Phase

New Zealand will not be considered among the favorites at the event in Greece. In fact, they will face a challenge to get out of Group A. The Tall Blacks tip off play against Croatia in what can probably be considered a must-win if they want to reach the Semi-Finals. Their second opponents will be Slovenia and superstar Luka Doncic.

The two top placed teams from Groups A and B will move into the Semi-Finals and New Zealand would have to first face one of Dominican Republic, Egypt or hosts Greece. New Zealand faced both Greece and Egypt last summer at the World Cup, losing to the Europeans and beating the African side. New Zealand would still need another win in the Final if they want to reach the Paris Olympics.

New Zealand OQT games

vs Croatia (July 3)
vs Slovenia (July 4)

Players to watch

Finn Delany

Head coach Pero Cameron will have a strong and balanced team that will likely be led by Finn Delany, who topped the Tall Blacks in scoring and rebounding at the World Cup last summer. The forward also won the Basketball Champions League with German side Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2023 and is gaining more experience in Europe.

Yanni Wetzell

The inside game of New Zealand is pretty strong with the likes of Yanni Wetzell as well as Reuben Te Rangi and veteran Isaac Fotu. Shea Ili does a solid job running the show from the point and is supported by Izayah Le'afa.  Another solid contributor is Jordan Ngatai.

Tobias (No. 11) and Flynn Cameron (No. 1) at the FIBA AsiaCup 2025 Qualifiers

There could be a trio of Camerons at the OQT in Greece as both of the coach Pero Cameron's sons Flynn and Tobias have played for the senior team. And there could be the Fotu brothers with Daniel Fotu also an option.

Qualified Team Focus series

During coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams ready to step out as part of our Qualified Team Focus series. You can already take a look at Slovenia, Greece and Dominican Republic.

FIBA