Jordan Ngatai will captain the Tall Blacks at the FIBA Asia Cup. Photo: David Rowland/www.photosport.nz
Tall Blacks veteran Jordan Ngatai will lead the side at the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next month.
Ngatai, 32, has played 84 games for the New Zealand team, but will captain the team for the first time at the two lead-up tournaments, both in China, as well as having the leadership reins in Jeddah.
Ngatai made his debut in the black singlet almost 12 years ago, aged 20.
Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell said it was an easy decision to give Ngatai the captaincy.
"He's just a great professional and somebody that has the ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and ages. Jordan's got the persona about him where he has the mana but is also very approachable.
"So yeah, really excited for Jordan and it's something I know he'll take pride in fulfilling."
Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell has named a squad of 12 for the Asia Cup. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Ngatai will lead the Wellington Saints against the Southland Sharks in the NBL final on Sunday, hoping to claim his fifth national league championship.
But he had never really thought about being Tall Blacks captain.
"It's a huge honour for not only myself, but for my family.
"Honestly, I don't think I would have imagined myself being the captain of my national team - let-alone one of the veterans to last this long in a Tall Black singlet as well.
"So, I think that in itself is an honour and I'm grateful for it."
Ngatai, who is from Porirua, will lead a squad of 12 at the Asia Cup, which follows their lead-up tournaments, the FIBA Solidarity Cup in Guangdong, and Four Nations Tournament in Shenzhen.
The Asia Cup squad includes three debutants - centre Jack Andrew (Taranaki Airs), guard Mohave King (Tauranga Whai), and guard Dontae Russo-Nance (Manawatū Jets) - while only Ngatai and forward Tohi Smith-Milner (69 games) have represented their country more than 50 times.
Forward Ben Gold, who plays for Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is only available for the Asia Cup, while Jordan Hunt (Franklin Bulls), Hayden Jones (Nelson Giants) and Luca Yates are additions for the two lead-up tournaments.
New Zealand squad
C - Jack Andrew* (Taranaki Airs), debutant
G - Taylor Britt (Canterbury Rams & New Zealand Breakers), 34 games
G - Flynn Cameron (Franklin Bulls & Adelaide 36ers), 28 games
F - Max Darling (Canterbury Rams & New Zealand Breakers), 9 games
F - Carlin Davison (Taranaki Airs & New Zealand Breakers), 4 games
F - Ben Gold (Marquette University), 7 games
G - Mojave King* (Tauranga Whai), debutant
G/F - Taine Murray (Brisbane Bullets), 10 games
G/F - Jordan Ngatai (Wellington Saints), 84 games
G - Dontae Russo-Nance* (Manawatū Jets), debutant
F/C - Tohi Smith-Milner (Canterbury Rams & Brisbane Bullets), 69 games
Additions - FIBA Solidarity Cup and Four Nations
F - Jordan Hunt (Franklin Bulls & Surrey 89ers), 12 games
G - Hayden Jones (Nelson Giants & University of Wisconsin), 1 game
C - Luca Yates* (Hawke's Bay Hawks & Illawarra Hawks), debutant
FIBA Solidarity Cup (Guangdong, China)
26 July Tall Blacks v Brazil
27 July Tall Blacks v Guangdong
28 July Tall Blacks v Montenegro
Four Nations Tournament (Shenzhen, China)
30 July Tall Blacks v Brazil
31 July Tall Blacks v TBC
FIBA Asia Cup (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
5 August Tall Blacks v Iraq
8 August Tall Blacks v Philippines
10 August Tall Blacks v Chinese Taipei
