Wildcats Trio make Tall Blacks squad for upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup

Perth Wildcats trio Corey Webster, Tai Webster and Hyrum Harris have been named in the New Zealand Tall Blacks squad for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Corey Webster first joined the New Zealand national team in 2008 where he played in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He has represented them on many occasions including the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2019 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.

Hyrum Harris made his Tall Blacks debut in 2022, playing in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifying window in the Philippines. Harris has yet to represent the tall blacks on an international, his selection a reflection of the dominance shown in the NZNBL this season.

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