Ken Tuffin has once again been called up by New Zealand Basketball, this time as part of the Tall Blacks’ pool for the third window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Tuffin, currently playing for Wellington Saints in the New Zealand-National Basketball League, has been in the middle of a tug-of-war between NZBB and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Former Gilas program director Tab Baldwin had wanted to have the 6-foot-4 winger be part of his pool during the Asia Cup Qualifiers but quarantine restrictions did not allow Tuffin to come back home.
Tuffin is currently averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in four losses for the Saints this season.
Also called up to the pool are the 13 men that played in the Araneta Window of the Qualifiers, namely Dion Prewster, Jayden Bezzant, Taylor Britt, Joe Cook-Green, Hyrum Harris, Ethan Rusbatch, Tai Wynard, Taane Samuel, Richie Rodger, Taki Fahrensohn, and Benjamin Gold.
Completing the pool are Corey Webster, Flynn Cameron, Jarrod Kenny, Kruz Perrott-Hunt, Shea Ili, Taine Murray, Akiva McBirney-Griffin, Dan Fotu, Dominique Kelman-Poto, Finn Delany, Isaac Davidson, Jordan Ngatai, Kenneth Tuffin, Kane Keil, Max Darling, Sam Mennenga, Tohi Smith-Milner, Tom Abercrombie, Tom Vodanovich, Jordan Hunt, Michael Karena, and Sam Timmins.
The third window games will be played in a bubble in Auckland with New Zealand playing against Gilas on July 3.
