Andrew Gaze and Paul Henare set the stage for a new era in basketball

GOLD COAST - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers are closer than ever with the first game only 192 days away.

Following the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers draw in Guangzhou, China, FIBA hosted media representatives from Australia and New Zealand on Australia’s Gold Coast.

FIBA Communications Director Patrick Koller, FIBA Executive Director, Oceania - David Crocker, Basketball Australia CEO - Anthony Moore and Basketball New Zealand Communications Manager - Joe Wallace were joined by Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze plus former national team player and current New Zealand Tall Black Head Coach Paul Henare to further educate the region’s media on the scale and benefits of FIBA's New Competition System.

Australia and New Zealand's opponents for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers

You could see that Gaze was still buzzing from the excitement of his involvement in the Qualifiers draw. He passionately expressed his support and love for the new FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifying system.

"It was always my dream to represent my country, to wear that green and gold," he said. "If I'm that U12 kid playing right now, they don't know it yet, but they should be excited. They have a much greater chance to have the privilege I had in playing for Australia.

"This new system creates more games against quality oppositions and attracts great players. These games mean something. To play in a game that is critical on the journey to becoming an Olympian and a World Cup player, that is what you play for. It is an exciting time."

Henare offered some insight into how the Tall Blacks' playing group is feeling about the new system.

"I recently sat down with our leadership group to show the guys how big this really is. As I was explaining it to them I could literally see their faces light up with excitement," he said. "It is one of the biggest things to happen for our game, possibly ever.

"The opportunities it's going to create in terms of regular games are off the charts. We've got to do our part as well, perform in those windows and make sure we're qualifying for those events and we get that chance to keep playing."

The opponents are set, team preparations are underway, the story tellers are ready and fans are overflowing with excitement, the stage is set for basketball's new era to begin on November 23 2017.

FIBA