Tall Ferns depart for Asia Cup Tour without Rooney, but young talent bolsters ranks

The Tall Ferns fly out for the first leg of their Asia Cup campaign tonight, but with one last minute change.

Erin Rooney has had to pull out due to an ACL injury. The star guard will be a big loss, but that misfortune has opened up the opportunity for rookie Zara Jillings, who has just come off her first season at Fordham University. Jillings was initially named for the William Jones Cup only, but Rooney's departure has cemented Jillings spot right through to the FIBA Asia Cup at the end of the month.

Jillings is one of ten members of the squad that are based overseas for most of the year, with the exceptions being Deena Franklin and Georgia Agnew.

Agnew and Franklin, who also teamed up at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in China last year, are the only New Zealand based players in the twelve player squad.

Both players face the challenge of combining full time study with the demands of playing international sport.

Agnew was based abroad, where she attended Utah Valley University for four years, but she returned to New Zealand last year and is now studying physiotherapy at AUT.

Franklin has completely bucked the trend choosing not to go to America on a basketball scholarship or go to Australia to play for a State League or WNBL club.

"I have received offers to go to Australia, but I want to complete my study first and then weigh up my options," she said.

Franklin first made the Tall Ferns in 2014 in her second year at Auckland University where she has completed a degree in Biotechnology.

Now studying for her Masters degree, Franklin says combining training and studying does present challenges.

"Its not ideal but as long as you are organized it is certainly possible. I have certainly improved my time management skills in the last few years. Last year I had to sit an exam in France whilst away with the team."

Tall Ferns assistant coach Aik Ho is full of praise for The 22 years old forward who has come through the Harbour Basketball age group ranks.

"These are exciting times for her. Deena has worked hard, she is diligent and Im proud of the work she has put in. Her attitude and character are top notch and when we ask her to go away and practice something specific - she does it. That is huge, that is the sort of person you want."

Franklin has spent her career to date playing as a forward, but Ho believes she has the potential to also play as a guard.

"She is a combination between a guard and a forward and in Asia she can play both to create mismatches because of her length.

"We are spending some time working on her fundamental ball skills. If she can be like Toni [Antonia Farnworth] and play off the dribble, she will be a lot harder to guard. Deena already has some good back to the basket moves - she can score consistently from 10-12 feet and we now need to build it up to the three point line which she is getting more confident with."

Franklin is second on the WBC rebounding statistics category this season averages 9.4 rebounds per game in addition to 14.0 points per outing.

The 2014 WBC Championship winning forward is pleased that the Tall Ferns selectors, when choosing the team consider domestic form.

"It is nice to know that players dont have to be based overseas to be selected. Georgia is also having a good season (averaging 15.1 points per game) so it is rewarding for both of us to know WBC form is a consideration.

"Others like Jess Tuki and Shea Crotty have been selected in the past and it proves the WBC is a pathway to international recognition," Franklin added.

One constant in Franklins progression from age group rep player to Tall Fern has been her family.

"My family have been immense and I am grateful for all the support they have given me over the years. None of this would have been possible without them."

The Tall Ferns embark on a tour of China and Singapore before they compete at its first FIBA Womens Asia Cup.

The 2017 tournament will be staged in Bangalore from 23-29 July. For the first time Australia and New Zealand will compete at the tournament alongside six Asian teams.

New Zealand has been drawn in Pool A alongside perennial powerhouse China, Chinese Taipei and the DPR of Korea

The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2018 FIBA Womens World Cup.

Tall Ferns Squad

- Georgia Agnew -Harbour Breeze / NZL

- Jessica Bygate - Melbourne Boomers/ Sandringham Sabres /AUS

- Micaela Cocks - Townsville Fire/ Mackay Meteorettes /AUS

- Toni Farnworth (nee Edmondson) Perth Lynx/ Perry Lakes Hawks /AUS

- Deena Franklin - Harbour Breeze /NZL

- Jillian Harmon - Le Mura Lucca /ITALY

- Zara Jillings - Fordham University /USA Harbour Breeze /NZL

- Rebecca Ott - Melbourne Boomers / AUS

- Chevannah Palvaast - Townsville Fire/ Mackay Meteorettes /AUS

- Kalani Purcell - Brisbane Spartans. Melbourne Boomers /AUS

- Josephine Stockill - Sunbury Jets /AUS

- --Natalie Taylor - Brisbane Spartans /AUS

-- Taylor joining team after Taiwan section of the tour

Tall Ferns Programme:

William Jones Cup / 5-9 July / Taipei, Taiwan

Singapore Series / 11-16 July / Singapore

Preparation Camp / 18-22 July / Bangalore, India

FIBA Asia Womens Cup (WC Qualifier) / 23-29 July, Bangalore, India

William Jones Cup - Competing Teams:

Japan, South Korea, India, Chinese Taipei, Chinese Taipei B

For more on the FIBA Womens Asia Cup, go to the FIBA webpage here.

Follow the Tall Ferns at @TallFerns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Also at www.basketball.org.nz.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand