Young guns: Four Tall Blacks to watch out for

• The Trans-Tasman Throwdown will be Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell's first games against Australia
• Flynn Cameron is out for the series through injury while Corey Webster will miss the first two games
• The Tall Blacks wil be led by veterans Shea Ili, Tohi Smith-Milner and Reuben Te Rangi

The rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is going to ignite once again as a part of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown. Tipping-off tonight in Adelaide, the best of three series will see the best from both nations battling it out for supremacy.

The Tall Blacks are being represented by a talented side with some of the best young players the world has to offer.

Here we look at four young Tall Blacks to keep an eye on.

Oscar Goodman – Michigan (NCAA) – Forward

One of the biggest names to watch in this series is Michigan forward Oscar Goodman.

The 6’7" forward led the under-17 national team to their highest ever finish at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey.

He had 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists a night on the way to a fourth-place finish. Goodman capped off the tournament being named in the All-Tournament Team before committing to the University of Michigan.

The Kiwi Wolverine spent the second half of the 2024-25 NCAA season as a redshirt after completing his high schooling in New Zealand.

If the Tall Blacks need a score late in this series, they better call Goodman.

Julius Halaifonua – Georgetown (NCAA) – Centre

Georgetown big Julius Halaifonua is going to be an imposing force for the Boomers to come up against.

Standing at 7'0", the 19-year-old plied his trade at the Basketball Australian Centre of Excellence in 2024 before heading to the states. In the NBL1 East he collected 12.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game.

The Auckland native had his first collegiate season cut short due to a fractured ankle sustained in November last year, only playing six games for the Hoyas.

Being the only true five-man on the Tall Blacks roster, Halaifonua is going to be required to play some key minutes in the series.

Jackson Ball – Hawkes Bay Hawks (NZNBL) / Wisconsin commit - Guard

Arguably the most interesting prospect to come out of New Zealand in the past five years, Jackson Ball is an elite bucket getter already at the age of 17.

Ball recently announced he would be taking his talents to power five school Wisconsin in 2026, where current Boomer Austin Rapp has transferred to this off-season.

The talented Kiwi guard is currently the fourth leading scorer in the NZNBL, averaging 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists for Hawkes Bay.

He will provide a much-needed offensive spark that is missed with Flynn Cameron and Corey Webster out.

Carlin Davidson – New Zealand Breakers (NBL) / Taranaki Airs (NZNBL) – Wing

The man that gravity forgot. Carlin Davidson’s athleticism will be unmatched in the Trans-Tasman Throwdown.

Playing last NBL season as a development player for the New Zealand Breakers, the 21-year-old is balling out for the Taranaki Airs alongside Boomer Owen Foxwell.

He’s stuffing the stat sheet with a team leading 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

Get ready for some highlight plays for when he steps onto the court.

Tall Blacks Squad

Jackson Ball, Taylor Britt, Walter Brown, Flynn Cameron (Not playing, injured), Max Darling, Carlin Davidson, Oscar Goodman, Julius Halaifonua, Shea Ili, Kaia Isaac, Tamatoa Isaac, Tohi Smith-Milner, Reuben Te Rangi, Corey Webster (out first two games through injury)

The Trans-Tasman Throwdown

Game 1: Wednesday, May 7 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Game 2: Friday, May 9 at UniSC Arena, Sunshine Coast

Game 3: Sunday, May 11 at GLOBEX Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand

Written by Basketball.com.au contributor Jackson MacDonald.