AUCKLAND (2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship) - New Zealand have narrowed down their list of candidates for the Tall Ferns side that will compete at the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship to just 14 players.

Coach Kennedy Kereama, hoping to spring an upset in the two-game series against Australia that will be staged 15 August in Melbourne and then two days later in Tauranga, has six players that have been playing American college basketball and seven on the books of Australian clubs.

The lone New Zealand-based player is point guard Jordan Hunter.

Among the three uncapped players, the youngest is 19-year-old center Tessa Boagni, who plays for California State University.

Kereama said: "The team has a good blend of youth and experience.

"I have been delighted with the enthusiasm, commitment and attitude of all the players and it is always difficult to advise players that they haven't been selected on the team.

I am confident that the players remaining in camp form the strongest group available to the coaching staff. - Kereama

"We're approaching the upcoming international programme with great optimism as we build towards the Olympic Qualifying series and beyond."

Kereama and his players will being at a training camp in South Auckland until Saturday and the final 12-member squad will be announced later in the week.

The national team will take part in the William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei from 27-31 July and then return home to meet Japan in a three-game series.

The sides will meet 5 and 7 August in Christchurch and then 9 August in Ashburton.

The team that wins the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship will automatically qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Games while the squad that loses will book its place in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

New Zealand preliminary squad for 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship: Stella Beck, Jacinta Beckley, Tessa Boagni, Jess Bygate, Micaela Cocks, Megan Craig, Penina Davidson, Samara Gallaher, Jordan Hunter, Chevannah Paalvast, Kalani Purcell, Josie Stockill, Natalie Taylor and Lisa Wallbutton.

FIBA