LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - New Zealand wrote another chapter in their recent youth basketball history by reaching the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 - their first-ever top four finish in the competition.
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The Junior Tall Blacks spoiled the party in Lausanne as they beat hosts Switzerland 84-70 to set up a date with United States in the Semi-Finals.
"It means a lot", said Oscar Goodman, one of the players tonight for New Zealand. "Basketball has been on the rise for the last five years. It keeps getting bigger every day, and this just shows we can compete with the best teams in the world."
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So proud of the group
"It’s amazing. I am so proud of the group. We all stuck together, got it done and are now moving it."
New Zealand gained control of the game with 24-9 run spanning the second and third quarters. And the Oceanians led 67-56 after 30 minutes. New Zealand were ahead 77-64 with under 3 minutes when the Swiss crowd tried to give them one more push - similiar to the 18-0 run late in the Round of 16. But New Zealand would not be denied.
Hayden Jones was exceptionnal in the second half and scored 23 points with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Julius Halaifonua scored 17 points and Oscar Goodman had 13 points and 13 rebounds for an efficiency rating of 26.
Switzerland's Cinderella run ends here. The Hosts left it all on the floor.
Jones and Goodman were part of more New Zealand magic last summer in reaching the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 - tying for the best-ever result for the country along with the Tall Blacks finishing fourth at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002.
New Zealand also played against USA last summer - with many players from the 2024 teams playing in Lausanne as well.
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