Canada Basketball – SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (May 1, 2019) – The biggest names in basketball will play in Sydney this August when North American rivals, USA Basketball and Canada Basketball will face off at Qudos Bank Arena on Monday 26 August 2019 (7.30pm), while the New Zealand Tall Blacks take on Canada Basketball at the Quaycentre on Tuesday 20 August 2019 and Wednesday 21 August 2019 (7.30pm).

These games will serve as important preparation for all teams ahead of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup to be contested in China August 31 – September 15, with each outfit to feature their final 12-man roster for the world championship.

Presale tickets will be available via Telstra Thanks® from 12.00pm AEST, Friday 3 May 2019 and the general public on sale commences from 12.00pm AEST, Wednesday 8 May 2019 from Ticketek.

USA Basketball’s encounter against Canada at Qudos Bank Arena will follow two massive games against the Australian Boomers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 22 and 24 August in front of over 100,000 fans – through the support of the Victorian Government via its tourism and major events agency Visit Victoria– and will round out their preparation for China.

USA Basketball Men’s National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo said: “Playing an outstanding opponent like Canada in Sydney is a fantastic way for the USA Men’s National Team to finish out its tour. 

“This game will not just be an opportunity to put the finishing touches on our pre-World Cup preparations, but it will be amazing for USA Basketball to return to Qudos Bank Arena where the USA men and women won Olympic gold medals in 2000. I have no doubt the game and atmosphere around the game will again be very memorable.”

With the addition of these three games, Canada Basketball will play a total of five pre-World Cup games in Australia, having previously confirmed two fixtures against the Boomers in Perth on 16 and 17 August. 

Canada Basketball General Manager, Men’s High Performance Rowan Barrett said: “We’re excited to have the opportunity to compete and gain familiarity against some of the top teams in the world in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.  

“The USA has been the gold standard in FIBA basketball for several years so this will be a great opportunity for our program. In addition, having the chance to play tough road games against Australia and New Zealand will be a valuable experience for our team on the road to the World Cup.”

New Zealand is one of only five nations – joining USA, Serbia, Argentina and Spain – to have made it out of pool play in each of the past four FIBA Basketball World Cups.

The Tall Blacks last met Canada during a classic semi final encounter at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast where the later won on the buzzer, setting up two compelling affairs when they meet again in August.

Basketball New Zealand CEO Iain Potter said: “These games are an amazing opportunity for the Tall Blacks, but also for Basketball New Zealand to forge new and ongoing relationships. It speaks to our reputation on the international stage that we have secured such an invite to play alongside some of the world’s best teams and I know Pauli (head coach Paul Henare) sees the games against Canada as a great measuring stick for where the team will be at leading into the World Cup. 

“This is also a great incentive for our players, a chance for them to show what they can do against NBA level opposition, as a team but also in their own careers – who knows what might come of such an opportunity.”

Not since the 2000 Sydney Olympics has Australia seen such high-quality men’s international basketball on these shores, with seven star-studded games to be played inside 11 days.

International Basketball Series Schedule

16 August 2019 – Australian Boomers vs. Canada Basketball – RAC Arena, Perth

17 August 2019 – Australian Boomers vs. Canada Basketball – RAC Arena, Perth 

20 August 2019 – Canada Basketball vs. New Zealand Tall Blacks – Quaycentre, Sydney

21 August 2019 – Canada Basketball vs. New Zealand Tall Blacks – Quaycentre, Sydney 

22 August 2019 – USA Basketball vs. Australian Boomers – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

24 August 2019 – USA Basketball vs. Australian Boomers – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

26 August 2019 – USA Basketball vs. Canada Basketball – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

TEG CEO Geoff Jones said: “As the country’s pre-eminent promoter of international sport, TEG Live is delighted to be bringing the biggest stars in basketball to Australia this August.

“With this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup to be played in the region, it lends itself perfecting to having leading teams prepare for the world championships here in Australia and giving fans the opportunity to see the best in the flesh.”

MEDIA KITS
Click here to download a rights-free video interview with Gregg Popovich, USA Basketball Men’s National Team Head Coach previewing their games vs. Canada and Australian Boomers[supplied in 25 frames per second (FPS) and progressive, MOV renders]
 
Click here to download a rights-free video interview with Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball General Manager, Men’s High Performance previewing their three games in Sydney[supplied in 25 frames per second (FPS) and progressive, MOV renders]
 
TICKETING DETAILS
 
NEW ZEALAND TALL BLACKS V CANADA BASKETBALL
Tuesday 20 August 2019 – Quaycentre, Sydney at 7.30pm
Wednesday 21 August 2019 – Quaycentre, Sydney at 7.30pm
 
USA BASKETBALL V CANADA BASKETBALL
Monday 26 August 2019 – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney at 7.30pm
 
TELSTRA THANKS® PRE-SALE
Telstra Thanks® presale from 12.00pm AEST, Friday 3 May 2019
 
GENERAL PUBLIC ONSALE
General on sale from 12.00pm AEST, Wednesday 8 May 2019
www.ticketek.com.au

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For Event information contact: 
Rebecca Trbojevich
Senior Publicist, TEG Live
rebecca.trbojevich@teglive.com.au
Mobile: +61 413 855 608
Direct: +61 2 9266 4179
 
For USA Basketball contact:
Craig Miller
Chief Communications Officer
camiller@usabasketball.com
Mobile:  +1 719-339-6593
Direct: +1 719 590 4800
 
For Canada Basketball contact:
Matt Walker
Communications Manager
mwalker@basketball.ca
Mobile: +1 289-244-9993
 
For Basketball New Zealand contact:
Joe Wallace
Communications Manager
joe@nz.basketball
Mobile: +64 (0) 21 246 4814
 
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five and 3×3 international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball. Connect with USA Basketball at USAB.com and on Facebook (USABasketball), Twitter (@usabasketball), Instagram (@USABasketball) and YouTube.
 
About Canada Basketball
Canada Basketball is the National Sporting Organization for the sport of Basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball is respected worldwide and is recognized by the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada as the sole governing body of the sport of amateur basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball, a not-for-profit organization, represents all basketball interests, provides leadership, coordination and direction in all areas of the sport of basketball.
 
About Basketball New Zealand
Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) is the governing body that develops and promotes basketball throughout New Zealand. To do this, BBNZ works with 36 regional associations to provide participation opportunities at the community level. This development includes a kids’ have-a-go programme called Kiwihoops, and tournaments and competitive national events for all levels, including a televised semi-professional league called the Sal’s NBL (NZ NBL). Talented athletes from the community level are provided a pathway into the High Performance programme where BBNZ develops talent and manages New Zealand five-aside and 3×3 teams to compete internationally. The senior national teams are known as the Tall Blacks (men’s team) and Tall Ferns (women’s national team). BBNZ is a not-for-profit run by a small national office based in Wellington, and strategically driven by a Board of Directors. BBNZ manages several brands on social media (each though Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) including @BasketballNZ (the federation), @NZNBL (men’s domestic league), @TallFerns (women’s national side) and @TallBlacks (men’s national side).
 
About TEG 
TEG Live is wholly owned by TEG, Asia Pacific’s leading ticketing, live entertainment and data analytics company. TEG Live is a dynamic and diverse promoter of live content in music, sport, family entertainment, eSports and exhibitions. TEG Live connects millions of fans every year with unique live experiences and adds value to events with hospitality and sponsorship services. For more information, visit: http://www.teglive.com.au

Ce texte est également disponible en français. Pour en obtenir une copie, veuillez communiquer avec Matt Walker. (coordonnées ci-dessous).
 
For more information, contact:
Matt Walker, mwalker@basketball.ca