Auckland Tuatara guard Chris McIntosh leaves for Israel today with the Tall Blacks 3×3 team that will contest the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2023 Qualifier event later this week.
McIntosh has been chosen to play in the two-day event alongside Zach Easthope, Richie Rodger and Aidan Tonge.
The foundation Tuatara player has eight international caps to his name and helped New Zealand secure the bronze medal at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup last month.
“Having Chris jump into the 3×3 Tall Blacks as a ‘rookie’ at the Asia Cup was amazing, he’s played a lot of 3×3 NZ PRO Quest Stops and outside of the national team setup – and we saw him, and Richie really step up their play in the Asia Cup as the tournament progressed,” said Tall Blacks 3×3 coach Piet Van Hasselt.
As a result, McIntosh will miss this Thursday’s game against the Otago Nuggets but will be back for the Tuatara’s next game against the Hawke’s Bay Hawks on Saturday May 13.
3×3 World Cup Qualifier Event (Men’s Pool A)
Sunday 7 May, 5:05am NZT – New Zealand vs Hungary
Sunday 7 May, 6:55am NZT – New Zealand vs Israel
Monday 8 May (time TBC) – Semi-finals TBC
Monday 8 May (time TBC) – Final TBC