New Zealand women's basketball coach Kennedy Hamilton-Kereama will take a team of contrasting experience to Japan for three international matches next week.

Five members of the Tall Ferns squad contested the Beijing Olympics two years ago but four others will be making their first appearance in the national senior team.

Guards Noni Wharemate, Suzie Bates and Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and forwards Jillian Harmon and Lisa Wallbutton provide the experience on the roster. Wharemate was named most valuable player in this year's national championship while Harmon returns to the team after a year's absence, having played professionally in Italy.

"We're very excited to have them both back on board," said Hamilton-Kereama, who was appointed to the coaching role last week on an interim basis.

"We missed them immensely last year and it will be interesting to see what they bring to the table."

One newcomer is Nelson/Taranaki guard Jelena Vucinic, the daughter of Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic and former Tall Fern Tatjana Zizic, who is about to head to take up a scholarship with Louisiana Tech University in the United States.

"Jelena is a very intelligent player and has the ability to knock down the open shot," Hamilton-Kereama said.

"That's something we will need in the systems we're running."

Joining her as rookies are Palmerston North guard Jordan Hunter and a pair of recent US college returnees, Harbour guard Amanda Harris and Otago forward Patrice McKenzie.

Tall Ferns squad:

Suzie Bates (Otago), Toni Edmondson (NZ Academy), Jillian Harmon (Italy), Amanda Harris (Harbour), Jordan Hunter (Palmerston North), Karlene Kingi (Harbour), Patrice McKenzie (Otago), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Australia), Georgina Richards (Taranaki), Lisa Wallbutton (Australia), Jelena Vucinic (Taranaki), Noni Wharemate (Harbour)