New Zealand Tall Ferns 12 locked in for Mexico

The 2degrees Tall Ferns are excited to announce their final squad of 12 female athletes to represent New Zealand at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier tournament, to be held in in Mexico from next week.

The squad of 12 includes: McKenna Dale, Penina Davidson (190-F-1995, college: California), Bailey Flavell, Ella Fotu, Pahlyss Hokianga, Esra McGoldrick, Tera Reed, Ashlee Strawbridge, Ritorya Tamilo, Ella Tofaeono, Charlotte Whittaker and Lauren Whittaker.

The squad sees four players return from the Tall Ferns successful FIBA Women’s Asia Cup campaign in 2023 – where the team finished fourth overall – in veterans Davidson, McGoldrick, Reed and 19-year-old Tamilo.

Joining them will be Dale, Hokianga and Lauren Whittaker, who all made their senior national team at the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in China earlier in February, and Ella Fotu; the 28-year-old capping an impressive return from injury with her first 5-on-5 Tall Ferns appearance since 2019.

That leaves a quartet of new Tall Ferns caps who are set to make their debut in Mexico. Flavell is fresh off of a remarkable FIBA U17 World Cup campaign, where she finished as the tournament’s third overall scorer. Joining Bailey are three athletes who have been playing in Australia’s NBL1 competition; Tofaeono (Townsville Flames), Charlotte Whittaker (South West Metro Pirates) with Ashlee Strawbridge (West Adelaide Bearcats).

The squad also sees solid representation from the G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, with seven athletes who played in last season’s competition – including championship-winning turns for Davidson, Flavell, Reed and Tamilo with Northern Kahu – and three players signed up for the 2024 edition of this competition to date.

FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico

The FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying tournament is being held in Mexico City from 19-25 August, the first time the 2degree Tall Ferns have played in this country.

New Zealand will take on Montenegro, Mexico and Mozambique in their Group B pool; if they can advance to the semi-final round, they will face Group A opponents that include Korea, Mali, Czechia and Venezuela.

If the Tall Ferns can finish first overall in this tournament, they will qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in 2026 – their final step in securing New Zealand’s first FIBA Women’s World Cup appearance since 1994.

2degrees Tall Ferns Squad of 12, FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier 2024

McKenna Dale, Tauranga Whai (Tauihi)

Penina Davidson, Keilor Thunder (NBL1) / Northern Kahu (Tauihi)

Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association / Northern Kahu

Ella Fotu, Perth Eastern Suns (NBL1)

Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay / Tauranga Whai

Esra McGoldrick, Casey Cavaliers (NBL1) / Mainland Pouakai (Tauihi)

Tera Reed, Keilor Thunder (NBL1)

Ashlee Strawbridge, West Adelaide Bearcats (NBL1)

Ritorya Tamilo, University of Hawaii (US)

Ella Tofaeono, Townsville Flames (NBL1) / UC Pirates (WNBL)

Charlotte Whittaker, South West Metro Pirates (NBL1) / University of Colorado (US)

Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga University (US)