New Zealand U17 vs Turkey U17

Both teams traded blows through a frenetic opening quarter, with neither able to build a double-digit lead. Turkey's size advantage around the rim kept them ahead for much of regulation, but New Zealand's perimeter shooting — and their refusal to yield on the boards — dragged them back every time the gap threatened to grow.

The Junior Tall Blacks, appearing in their fourth consecutive U17 World Cup, pushed the pace in the third and fourth quarters, matching Turkey bucket for bucket. As the fourth-quarter clock wound down, New Zealand found enough scores to force the game into overtime tied on the scoreboard — a testament to their resilience after a 2024 bronze-medal loss to the same opponent.

Overtime, however, belonged entirely to Turkey. The hosts opened the extra period with an 8–0 run, and the New Zealand side — exhausted from chasing the game in the fourth — could not mount another response. Turkey poured in 14 points in OT while holding New Zealand to just two, turning a tight contest into a decisive 12-point final margin.

The game flipped in the first two minutes of overtime. After New Zealand had battled back from deficits throughout regulation, Turkey's opening flurry in OT — back-to-back scores in the paint followed by a corner three — put the lead beyond reach. New Zealand called a timeout but never recovered their rhythm, managing only a single basket across the five extra minutes.

Turkey's production was spread across their roster, with multiple players reaching double figures. Their ability to generate second-chance points and draw fouls proved decisive in the extra period. While official box-score data was not yet published at the time of writing, Turkey's efficiency at the free-throw line and dominance on the offensive glass in OT were clear drivers of the result.

For New Zealand, the backcourt provided steady scoring throughout regulation to keep the game within reach, but fatigue in overtime took a toll on their shot-making and defensive rotations. The Kiwis' inability to contain dribble penetration in the final minutes proved costly.

The final scoreline — 112–100 — tells only part of the story. This was a one-possession game at the end of regulation, meaning the underlying metrics likely showed a much closer contest than the 12-point OT gap suggests. Turkey's ability to execute in the extra period (14–2 in OT scoring) turned what could have been a statement win for New Zealand into a narrow escape for the tournament hosts.

Both teams shot well from the field, with the game producing the highest combined score (212 points) of any matchup on the opening day of group play in Istanbul. The overtime period alone decided the 12-point margin — the game was essentially even across the first 40 minutes.

The win gives Turkey (1–0) a vital opening victory in Group C at the tournament, which runs from 27 June to 5 July in Istanbul. New Zealand (0–1) drops its opener but has ample time to recover with two more group-stage fixtures ahead. In a four-team group where every result matters for knockout-stage qualification, neither side can afford another loss.

Group C also features Slovenia and Puerto Rico, who played the second game of the day. Turkey will look to build on its OT win when it faces Slovenia next, while New Zealand will aim to bounce back against Puerto Rico.

Turkey managed the occasion of a home-opener without ever truly dominating — but they survived. New Zealand proved they belong in the conversation at this level and will regret not closing out regulation. If the Junior Tall Blacks can sustain their regulation form across full 40-minute stretches, they remain a threat in the group.