There's an experienced look to the New Zealand women's basketball team confirmed for this week's tournament in China after extensive trials over the past five days at the Breakers training base.
Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, 30, Natalie Taylor (nee Purcell) 28, Micaela Cocks and Lisa Wallbutton have been selected, along with Jillian Harmon, who is now playing in Italy.
Four others are at universities in the United States: Erin Rooney, Rebecca Dew Jordan Hunter and the team's youngest player, 19-year-old Jelena Vucinic, whose father is Tall Blacks coach, Nenad Vucinic.
The only New Zealand-based squad member is Waikato Wizards forward Aroha Jennings.
Guards Angela Marino and Jess McCormack were unavailable while Otago guard Suzie Bates is with the New Zealand women's cricket team.
The team leaves on Wednesday and will play Australia, Brazil and China over six days from Friday.
Australia are ranked third, Brazil sixth and China eighth. The Tall Ferns are 16th.
The tournament is part of the team's build-up to the three-Test Olympic qualifying series with Australia in September for a place in London next year.
