NEWS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Sam Mennenga of the Davidson men’s basketball team has been selected to play for New Zealand’s Senior National Team, as announced over the weekend.

Mennenga and his teammates will begin Group “D” Play Wednesday at 11 a.m. (Local) / 12 a.m. (EDT) against India in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, taking place July 12-24 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The four-team group also includes Lebanon and Philippines, which New Zealand will play Friday and Sunday, respectively.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Sam to compete against some of the best players in the world,” commented Davidson head coach Matt McKillop.

A rising redshirt junior from Auckland, New Zealand, Mennenga averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.9 percent overall and 46.7 percent from 3-point range last season.

Over his last eight contests, the 6-8 forward scored in double figures six times, including a career-high 18 points versus Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Championship, capped by a 15-point effort against Michigan State on March’s biggest stage, the NCAA Tournament.

“Sam’s work ethic clearly led to the improvements he made during our past season, where he was playing at his highest level in March. That work ethic continued throughout the spring and summer, and we are excited to watch his continued development playing with the Tall Blacks,” McKillop said.

Davidson, the 2021-22 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champs, finished this past season 27-7 overall and 15-3 in league play, while earning the program’s 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.

To follow Mennenga and Team New Zealand during the FIBA Asia Cup click here.