NZ team win world champs

New Zealand has won the Fiba under-18 world 3x3 basketball championship, beating Argentina 20-18 in the final.

The Kiwi men dominated finals day, hammering Russia 21-13 in the quarterfinals and another powerhouse Spain, 21-8, in the semifinals before accounting for Argentina in a thrilling final played in Hungary yesterday.

Tai Wynyard was named tournament MVP as the Kiwis put the country on the world basketball map yet again, winning the tournament for the second time after the success of the young New Zealanders in 2011.

Coach Anthony Corban was immensely proud of this team.

‘‘The boys have just been amazing and while we are always humble in these moments, we have just dominated the best in the world today.

‘‘I am just a small part of this, once the game gets under way I am not allowed to coach, the boys are on their own but their leadership is outstanding.

‘‘We have some pretty good signals going on between me and captain Nikau McCullough – a bit like a baseball coach from the dugout, but the boys have just been superb and Nikau’s captaincy brilliant.’’

Sam [Timmins] is an exciting talent, he is Tall Black material and is already committed to a good University in Washington next year, he has a high basketball IQ and has come out of a really good programme with Mark Dickel, he is one of a special group of players emerging out of our country.

‘‘Tai [Wynyard] is perhaps the most relaxed young man I have worked with, off court he is in that space and on court nothing phases him, Kentucky will be rubbing their hands together, they have a special Kiwi talent coming their way.

‘‘He has developed so well at the Breakers and I know Paul Henare [Tall Blacks coach] will be watching him closely, as he will with Sam.’’