ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - New Zealand wrote a new chapter in their basketball history as they beat Lithuania 73-64 in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 to reach the Semi-Finals of the competition for the first time in history.
Oscar Goodman scored 19 points with 10 rebounds to lead five Kiwis in double figures including Jackson Kiss with 17 points and 8 rebounds and Hayden Jones with 13 points and 13 rebounds including two free throws with 31 seconds to make it 70-65.
New Zealand's previous results were 14th and 12th in the last two U17 World Cups, meaning they had already achieved their best ever showing just by reaching the Quarter-Finals.
LIthuania led by 10 points midway through the third quarter, but New Zealand fought back into the game and led 49-48 after 30 minutes. And the Oceanians never handed the lead back to Lithuania the rest of the way.
"There is an internal belief around this group that we can weather any storm, we can compete with anybody and we have proved it. We're grateful to get anything more than we had but we had beliefs that we could be top four. Now it's just the cream on top stuff," New Zealand head coach Leyton Haddleton said.
"What it shows is that even for a little country like New Zealand we can compete with anyone. We've got some talented coaches from around the country that are working with many, many, many kids and this will be inspirational for them."
As if that story was not good enough, Hayden Jones is the son of Phil Jones, who was a major part of the magical Tall Blacks team that went all the way to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002.
"Amazing - this group of boys right here, I love them all. I couldn't have done it with anybody else," Hayden Jones said. "New Zealand is a small country and hasn't been known for much but coming through the ages and getting better and better every year. Our basketball is just getting amazing."
Jones also appreciated the connection to his team's performance and that of his father's 22 summers ago.
"It's a surreal moment. Him playing the game and mentoring me made me who I am today," he said.
When asked what his father told him ahead of the Quarter-Finals, Hayden said only: "Make free throws."
Coach Haddleton added: "I don't know what the talk between them is but I know that both of them are extremely competitive and Hayden will want to get one over his dad. But his dad will be extremely proud for him."
New Zealand will face the winner between United States and Canada in the Semi-Finals.
FIBA