The New Zealand men's Under-19 basketball team's being praised for its composure at the World Cup in Switzerland.
The junior Tall Blacks will meet the USA in the semis after beating hosts Switzerland 84-70.
Down by six points at halftime in front of a raucous Swiss home crowd of six thousand, coach Matt Lacey urged poise and calm.
Tall Blacks Coach Judd Flavell spoke with Lesley Murdoch hot on the heels of the junior team’s success.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
On the heels of that magnificent victory by our under
nineteen boys Junior Tall Blacks who beat Switzerland overnight. Let's
go to Senior Tall Blacks head coach and someone we
know very well here, Judd Fleavel.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Judd, good morning, Hey, good morning, Leslie.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
How are you doing very good things? This is really
exciting news and we just thought we'd give you a
quick call to put that win over Switzerland into context
for us. Please.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Oh look, I mean, you know, we're in the semi
final plan against the USA, the big boys in the
at the World Cup, which is you know, not a yes,
it's not an easy thing to do. But I think
the pleasing thing is that a lot of people from
the basketball fraternity especially had a lot of confidence about
this group and this coaching staff, and you know, seeing
(00:52):
them perform on that stage, and you know what one
of the probably positives of this is that we feel
like they can play better too. You know, there's as
well as they're playing, probably a lot of us and
you know there's probably a lot of out our coaches
chat on the Tollbacks coaches chat. We still see some
opportunities there for us. But it's amazing that we're in
(01:14):
this situation and that we're talking about hoops and we're
at a semi final of the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
So where has this come from?
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh, there's probably you know, a few things here. Look,
we've got a generational, generational group here that's very talented.
I think that's certainly. You know, we're in a great
spot with this lineup, and a lot of these guys
have put on the tollback Singer already, I think six
(01:43):
of them, and so you know, we knew that this
is a fantastic group and a lot of talent, but
just the way that they're playing together too. I think
the coaching staff has done an amazing job. You know,
we we don't have a long time to spend with
our players with the national team. You know, they're kind
of you know, just due to funding and or lack
(02:04):
of that, we're just not able to really, you know,
spend as much time as what the rest of the
world are going to do. But we perform really well
on the stage. So a lot of that is just
their key we pride and the way that they play
the game, and they played connected and the coaches have
done a great job with the limited resources. There's A
couple other points that I think are really valid is
(02:26):
just the nature of the New Zealand NBL and with
the new format that Justin Nelson brought in with the
Rapid League. There's so many of these boys, there's all
but two of them that are playing in the New
Zealand NBL, and a lot of them are key players
in those teams, and they dip their toes in that
league first. In the Rapid League, you know, as we
know is the sort of the curtain rangers of the
(02:47):
NBL game. But now you know, they've been playing against pros,
tour blacks and Boomers and American imports, you know, for
the last couple of years, and that's put them in
a good, good stead And when you look at a
big games and you head into a quarterfinal and semi final,
you know, it's those types of situations that I feel
like these guys are going to be you know, they're
(03:07):
areay battle heartened. I guess this is the right way
to say.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, So they've had a lot of experience in terms
of the lead up, the pathways, et cetera. And you know,
obviously with your coaching group, do do you have much
interaction with the coaching team. Who are the coaching team
for the under nine teams?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, I mean head coach Matt Lacy, you know who
has been coaching the tot on the Phi in the
New Zealand NBL the last couple of years. Looks how
old I am. I was coaching him at the Breakers
the Camming when he was an athlete back in the day.
But you know, very talented up and coming coach that
we have. You know, we have a lot of them
coming through this country. His two assistants, Doug Courtney is
(03:51):
one of his assistant at the Fire as well. He's
been around for a long time. And then you know,
being with some good coaches in the past and been
involved in the age groups. And then Josiah Mama who
has been with the Auckland t Atara you know the
last three years. And so yeah, these guys know what
they're doing. And probably the biggest thing is that they
(04:12):
know the people so well. You know, they've been in
the landscape and in the trenches with these boys for
a long time, so they know them really, really well.
And you know that goes a long way when you
don't have a long time to spend together as a team,
you really lean into your personal connections and the knowledge
that you have of your players, because you know, we
(04:33):
have to know our players inside out and tap into
all those cohesion attributes that we can. But look, you know, yeah,
I think a group that's really solid across the board
and do an amazing job.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Looking at the personnel who are in the team itself.
You've been following it obviously. Who has stood out for you?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Oh, I think there's a few names that I think
that come to mind. I think our very own, you know,
down in christ I think Tamil Isaac has been a
guy that's been just a rock for the team. And
you know, he carries a big responsibility and you know,
being a point guard or you're playing international basketball, you're
dealing with pressure up the floor and you've got to
organize your team the game. In the quarterfinal, actually he
(05:18):
was in foul trouble in that first half, so he
had a limited probably impact as much as you know,
compared to what we saw in the first few games.
But I think just that the ability there has been great.
Another one that's been provided great stability has been Hayden Jones.
I think you know, his his composure, I guess is
(05:43):
the best word to use, and just being able to
keep us together but at the same time, you know,
picking up big rebounds and making big shots. But then
you know, across the board, I think it's really why
this team is so good is because we've got probably
like seven or eight guys that can really hold it together.
I think Lucky Freat you know, who played for Nelson
(06:03):
Giants this year out of Palmston North or Fielding. Yeah,
he has been a made in just sort of really
mailing his role. And you know, we have, you know,
two guys Julius Olofanour who has you know, I think
had his best game in the semi final but yet
to really his his straps and find his legs, and
Oscar Goodman, who I felt hat his best game too,
(06:24):
And those two probably just building. And we've got so
many other guys that, you know, Troy Plumtree has had
some amazing patches and as we know, Jackson Baul can
get going and he's probably one that we probably feel
that you know, has more less than the tank there too.
And I think I'm trying to name everybody, but card
(06:45):
of Hawkfoy has been amazing as well. But yeah, I
think it's really the strength of this group is the group,
and that's something that's why we all felt like this
team could do something.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Special, fantastic. Well, I've got a big game up next.
As you mentioned, Judd Flevor, We're really grateful that you
have come on and put it all into context what
this one does mean, and we wish them all the best.
But thank you very much and we'll talk again soon.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, and I thank you, Lizzie. I think these are
names that we'll get used to saying, you know, for
a long time. And the new Zellan national teams and
hopefully the Tollbacks and yeah, it's an exciting future. So yeah,
everybody jump on board.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Absolutely we are. That is Judd Flavor with the Toolbox.
Head for more from News Talks ed B listen live
on air or online, and keep
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
On the heels of that magnificent victory by our under
nineteen boys Junior Tall Blacks who beat Switzerland overnight. Let's
go to Senior Tall Blacks head coach and someone we
know very well here, Judd Fleavel.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Judd, good morning, Hey, good morning, Leslie.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
How are you doing very good things? This is really
exciting news and we just thought we'd give you a
quick call to put that win over Switzerland into context
for us. Please.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Oh look, I mean, you know, we're in the semi
final plan against the USA, the big boys in the
at the World Cup, which is you know, not a yes,
it's not an easy thing to do. But I think
the pleasing thing is that a lot of people from
the basketball fraternity especially had a lot of confidence about
this group and this coaching staff, and you know, seeing
(00:52):
them perform on that stage, and you know what one
of the probably positives of this is that we feel
like they can play better too. You know, there's as
well as they're playing, probably a lot of us and
you know there's probably a lot of out our coaches
chat on the Tollbacks coaches chat. We still see some
opportunities there for us. But it's amazing that we're in
(01:14):
this situation and that we're talking about hoops and we're
at a semi final of the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
So where has this come from?
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh, there's probably you know, a few things here. Look,
we've got a generational, generational group here that's very talented.
I think that's certainly. You know, we're in a great
spot with this lineup, and a lot of these guys
have put on the tollback Singer already, I think six
(01:43):
of them, and so you know, we knew that this
is a fantastic group and a lot of talent, but
just the way that they're playing together too. I think
the coaching staff has done an amazing job. You know,
we we don't have a long time to spend with
our players with the national team. You know, they're kind
of you know, just due to funding and or lack
(02:04):
of that, we're just not able to really, you know,
spend as much time as what the rest of the
world are going to do. But we perform really well
on the stage. So a lot of that is just
their key we pride and the way that they play
the game, and they played connected and the coaches have
done a great job with the limited resources. There's A
couple other points that I think are really valid is
(02:26):
just the nature of the New Zealand NBL and with
the new format that Justin Nelson brought in with the
Rapid League. There's so many of these boys, there's all
but two of them that are playing in the New
Zealand NBL, and a lot of them are key players
in those teams, and they dip their toes in that
league first. In the Rapid League, you know, as we
know is the sort of the curtain rangers of the
(02:47):
NBL game. But now you know, they've been playing against pros,
tour blacks and Boomers and American imports, you know, for
the last couple of years, and that's put them in
a good, good stead And when you look at a
big games and you head into a quarterfinal and semi final,
you know, it's those types of situations that I feel
like these guys are going to be you know, they're
(03:07):
areay battle heartened. I guess this is the right way
to say.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, So they've had a lot of experience in terms
of the lead up, the pathways, et cetera. And you know,
obviously with your coaching group, do do you have much
interaction with the coaching team. Who are the coaching team
for the under nine teams?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, I mean head coach Matt Lacy, you know who
has been coaching the tot on the Phi in the
New Zealand NBL the last couple of years. Looks how
old I am. I was coaching him at the Breakers
the Camming when he was an athlete back in the day.
But you know, very talented up and coming coach that
we have. You know, we have a lot of them
coming through this country. His two assistants, Doug Courtney is
(03:51):
one of his assistant at the Fire as well. He's
been around for a long time. And then you know,
being with some good coaches in the past and been
involved in the age groups. And then Josiah Mama who
has been with the Auckland t Atara you know the
last three years. And so yeah, these guys know what
they're doing. And probably the biggest thing is that they
(04:12):
know the people so well. You know, they've been in
the landscape and in the trenches with these boys for
a long time, so they know them really, really well.
And you know that goes a long way when you
don't have a long time to spend together as a team,
you really lean into your personal connections and the knowledge
that you have of your players, because you know, we
(04:33):
have to know our players inside out and tap into
all those cohesion attributes that we can. But look, you know, yeah,
I think a group that's really solid across the board
and do an amazing job.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Looking at the personnel who are in the team itself.
You've been following it obviously. Who has stood out for you?
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Oh, I think there's a few names that I think
that come to mind. I think our very own, you know,
down in christ I think Tamil Isaac has been a
guy that's been just a rock for the team. And
you know, he carries a big responsibility and you know,
being a point guard or you're playing international basketball, you're
dealing with pressure up the floor and you've got to
organize your team the game. In the quarterfinal, actually he
(05:18):
was in foul trouble in that first half, so he
had a limited probably impact as much as you know,
compared to what we saw in the first few games.
But I think just that the ability there has been great.
Another one that's been provided great stability has been Hayden Jones.
I think you know, his his composure, I guess is
(05:43):
the best word to use, and just being able to
keep us together but at the same time, you know,
picking up big rebounds and making big shots. But then
you know, across the board, I think it's really why
this team is so good is because we've got probably
like seven or eight guys that can really hold it together.
I think Lucky Freat you know, who played for Nelson
(06:03):
Giants this year out of Palmston North or Fielding. Yeah,
he has been a made in just sort of really
mailing his role. And you know, we have, you know,
two guys Julius Olofanour who has you know, I think
had his best game in the semi final but yet
to really his his straps and find his legs, and
Oscar Goodman, who I felt hat his best game too,
(06:24):
And those two probably just building. And we've got so
many other guys that, you know, Troy Plumtree has had
some amazing patches and as we know, Jackson Baul can
get going and he's probably one that we probably feel
that you know, has more less than the tank there too.
And I think I'm trying to name everybody, but card
(06:45):
of Hawkfoy has been amazing as well. But yeah, I
think it's really the strength of this group is the group,
and that's something that's why we all felt like this
team could do something.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Special, fantastic. Well, I've got a big game up next.
As you mentioned, Judd Flevor, We're really grateful that you
have come on and put it all into context what
this one does mean, and we wish them all the best.
But thank you very much and we'll talk again soon.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, and I thank you, Lizzie. I think these are
names that we'll get used to saying, you know, for
a long time. And the new Zellan national teams and
hopefully the Tollbacks and yeah, it's an exciting future. So yeah,
everybody jump on board.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Absolutely we are. That is Judd Flavor with the Toolbox.
Head for more from News Talks ed B listen live
on air or online, and keep
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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