ISTANBUL, Turkey – The USA remains undefeated in FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup history, and the six-time champions will be looking to keep the dream alive after being heavily underdogged in the semifinals in New Zealand.
The young Tall Blacks are already matching the greatest feat in basketball history, playing for house money, and now dreaming of what could be FIBA’s biggest upset ever. But it’s just one game.
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Important matchups
Hayden Jones and the rest of New Zealand’s ball-handlers will have to overcome a stifling U.S. defense that forces 32.8 turnovers per game. And with U.S. coach Sherman White using 12 players, with each player required to play a minimum of 10 minutes, no more than 20, New Zealand’s offense will be bombarded by waves of tall, athletic defenders. So Jones and company will have to prepare for 40 minutes of pressure unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before.
New Zealand has a pretty good team size, with six players over 197 cm tall and well-built, so they may not be overwhelmed by the strength of the United States.
Hayden Jones will play a big role in this matchup.
X-Factor
There seems to be a bit of destiny about this New Zealand team. By reaching the semifinals, they have already equalled the country’s greatest basketball success – the Tall Blacks’ semifinal appearance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2002. One of the leaders of that team was Phil Jones, father of the aforementioned Hayden Jones. In 2002, the Tall Blacks came home empty-handed, finishing in fourth place. Can Hayden and his team make basketball upset history?
Statistics don’t lie
New Zealand is committing 19.0 turnovers per game, but once they get a shot, they are pretty solid, especially inside the three-point line. New Zealand is shooting 56.1% from two-point range, bettered only by the United States at 64.5%. Their long-range shooting percentage of 30.6% is tied for fourth. Meanwhile, the U.S. leads the tournament in points, rebounds, assists and steals, and is second in blocks.
The United States dominated throughout the tournament.
Past matches
This will be the first meeting between the teams at the U-17 World Cup level. New Zealand has previously faced the U.S. in the group stage of the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup 2019 (USA won 111-71) and at the 1997 Men’s Under-22 World Championship (USA won 85-43).
They said
“I think we can challenge the US. That’s why we’re coming to the World Cup.” New Zealand coach Leighton Harrelton
“I think they’re a really good team. I watched their game today (after the quarterfinals) and watched their film. They’re big, they’re versatile and they’re doing really well. I think it’s going to be a good match and it’s a good opportunity to play against a team that’s similar in size to us, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.” USA Head Coach Sherman White
Learn more about New Zealand
New Zealand news before the semi-finals
History! New Zealand beats Lithuania to reach first ever semi-final
Learn more about America
Read more about the USA’s journey to the semifinals
The U.S. is breaking record after record and heading into the semifinals. What’s next?
49 assists – USA breaks record for third straight game
International Basketball Federation
