Two Southland Sharks have been named in the 3x3 Tall Blacks for the international tournament in Invercargill in October.
Star players Alonzo Burton and Dom Kelman-Poto will join Taylor Britt (Canterbury Rams), Hyrum Harris (Hawke’s Bay Hawks) and Taane Samuel (Wellington Saints) in the men’s team. A Tall Ferns team will be named later.
The Kiwi sides will take on their Australian counterparts at the end of each afternoon and evening session at the 3X3 Schick Cup, resulting in a dozen international games of abbreviated basketball being played at Invercargill’s Stadium Southland.
It is the first time a series like this has taken place in Australasia.
The 3x3 Tall Blacks head coach, Piet van Hasselt, is delighted the series has been greenlit with the Commonwealth Games on the horizon in 2022.
“To have this opportunity to showcase the 3X3 game in our backyard is invaluable. It gives our players a fantastic chance to taste genuine international competition and put their hands up for Commonwealth Games selection.’’
Kelman-Poto is looking forward to returning to Invercargill wearing the black jersey.
“It’s a huge honour to be selected to represent my country,’’ he said.
‘‘It’ll be a different feeling when we run out through the smoke and fire this year. We know we’ll be representing all of the teams when we take on Australia. I can’t wait.”
