23 September, 2026
Young basketball star enjoys full roster of action

International stage… Imani Rasmussen in action for the Tall Ferns in Mexico last month

Imani Rasmussen (16) has been bouncing around with basketball commitments this year, playing for the top Westlake Girls High School side, Harbour at the U20 nationals, the U17 World Cup and – most impressively – debuting as a Tall Fern at a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament.
She has been to China for warm-up games with the national U17 team, the Czech Republic for the U17 World Cup, and Guadalajara, Mexico, with the Tall Ferns.
She didn’t expect to make the Tall Ferns so early in her basketball career.
“I always dreamed of being a Tall Fern, but I was expecting it when I was maybe like 20,” she says.
As to how she won her opportunity, Imani says, “I think I practised professional habits at the U17 World Cup, and I performed somewhat well.”
“Performing somewhat well” has previously had Imani named Defensive Player of the Tournament and selected in the All Star Five at the U20 nationals.
In Mexico, the Tall Ferns won every game except their semi-final against Canada.
Imani says she really enjoyed the experience, and was “super grateful”.
“All those girls are really smart and professional in how they manage themselves. Hopefully I get to play again with them in the future, and it’s good to have all those connections.”
She also spoke highly of the Tall Ferns coaches. “They slotted me in really nicely, and there was no separation just because of my age.”

She said transitioning from “heaps of game time” at the U17 World Cup to shorter stints in the Tall Ferns games taught her to always be present.
“I learnt that when I’m on the court to just make the most of it, to give 110 per cent regardless, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to just really treasure it.”
Imani’s mum, Stacey Rasmussen, says she received texts every night about how Imani was doing.
“From the beginning they understood how old she was, and they were making sure she was comfortable and we were comfortable. She’s actually travelled quite a lot now, but it’s still hard for us to let her go so far.”
She says the regular contact made the family feel at ease.
Next up for Imani, she has qualified to compete in the secondary school national tournaments for both basketball and netball.
“I think everyone expects [basketball] to be my priority, and I am in more professional environments with basketball, but I still do netball.”
She is also part of the North Shore-based Kāhu Basketball women’s team, and will compete with them in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, New Zealand’s premier women’s basketball league.

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