The Tall Ferns have confirmed their squad for next month's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, with a 12-strong contingent aiming to bring home gold.
Coach Guy Molloy has backed a combination of youth and experience, including 16-year old Charlisse Leger-Walker and 19-year old Zara Jillings.
In a media release, Molloy spoke about his delight with his squad.
"Tall Ferns veterans such as Micaela Cocks, Toni Farnworth, and Natalie Purcell will lead admirably, whilst other talented Australian WNBL players Kalani Purcell, Chevannah Paalvast, and Jordan Hunter will provide scoring power and great defense," he said.
"I am particularly excited, however, by the emergence of two very young Tall Ferns in Charlisse Leger-Walker and Zara Jillings. Amazingly Charlisse is only 16 years old, but she plays with the poise of a much older player and is a very clever playmaker. Similarly Zara is only 19 and is a freshman starter for Fordham University, but also really impressed during the Asia Cup campaign in 2017."
"The selected team is small, but fast and skilled, and we hope to play a great brand of basketball during the Games."
The naming of the basketball contingent rounds out the New Zealand team for the games, with all 251 available spots now filled across all sports.
TALL FERNS: Jessica Bygate (Sandringham Sabres, Australia), Micaela Cocks (Townsville Fire, Australia), Antonia Farnworth (Perth Lynx, Australia), Deena Franklin (Harbour Heat, NZ), Jordan Hunter (Sturt Sabres, Australia), Zara Jillings (Fordham University, USA), Charlisse Leger-Walker (Waikato Wizards/St Peter's School, Cambridge), Chevannah Paalvast (Canberra Capitals, Australia), Kalani Purcell (Melbourne Boomers, Australia), Erin Rooney (Troistorrents, Switzerland), Josie Stockill (Sunbury Jets, Australia), Natalie Taylor (Brisbane Spartans, Australia).
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