Good news, bad news for Tall Ferns coach
In a perfect world, with a spot at the Paris Olympic Games within reach, Tall Ferns coach Guy Molloy would have all hands on deck for February’s final qualifying tournament in China.
But Molloy has to take the good with the bad on the availability front as he looks to guide the New Zealand women’s basketballers to a fourth appearance at the Games.
The good news first. Molloy confirmed that he had secured the release of US college standouts Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State) and Tayla Dalton (St Mary’s) for the February 8-11 tournament in Shenzhen, China, that will see the New Zealanders line up alongside the hosts, France and Puerto Rico, with three spots up for grabs for Paris.
That’s a massive win for the programme given the tricky timing of the Olympic qualifying event – right at the business end of the college season. Both Leger-Walker and Dalton are key figures in Molloy’s lineup.
And the bad?
Molloy confirmed it was unlikely two of the squad’s senior figures, recently naturalised Australian Tahlia Tupaea and experienced forward Kalani Purcell, would be available for the February tournament.
Both are in the midst of strict medical return-to-play protocols – Tupaea after shoulder reconstruction surgery in September and Purcell following the birth of her first baby.
“The medical advice is February could be a month or two too soon,” said Molloy. “They’re following protocols that just can’t be sped up. Touch wood, we qualify and they could be fully available for the Olympics. But they could just be racing the clock this time.”
Molloy hoped to name his squad of 12 for China later this month, and it could contain at least two new names, with McKenna Dale, 24, and 17-year-old Christchurch schoolgirl sensation Lauren Whittaker both pushing hard for spots in China.
With just one win needed, and Puerto Rico considered a beatable prospect, Molloy is adamant his team has a shot at an Olympic spot.
“We’re in the fight for sure,” he said. “On world rankings over 10 games they might win more than us. But we only have to play one game.”