The Otago Nuggets would like to congratulate their physiotherapist, Sam Jewell, on his selection to be a part of the Junior Tall Blacks team for their 2027 World Cup campaign.

Jewell has been team physiotherapist for the Otago Nuggets since March 2022, with his inaugural season with the club culminating in the Nuggets winning the Sal’s 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) Championship.

Alongside his work with the Nuggets, Jewell is currently senior physiotherapist at Recovery Room Physiotherapy and Performance, having recently completed his masters in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy through Latrobe University in Melbourne.

Prior to working as the Nuggets’ physiotherapist Sam was the head physiotherapist at the Wellington Phoenix.  Through Jewell’s wealth of knowledge and experience in elite football and basketball, he has a unique insight into change of direction and running sports performance and injuries.

Jewell expressed his gratitude for this opportunity to represent this country, and is excited for the 2027 World Cup campaign.

“I wanted to thank Angela Ruske and the Nuggets players, and especially Mike Spencer and Brent Matehaere, as well as Dan Webster from the Perth Wildcats, for being my basketball mentors,” Jewell said.

The World Cup campaign for Jewell and the Junior Tall Blacks commences with a national camp in April, ahead of the FIBA Under 17 Oceania Cup later this year.

Words by Grace Boyd