Isaac Fotu was one of the youngest ever to play for the New Zealand national basketball team three years ago, at age 17.

Now the University of Hawaii’s junior forward is a step closer to being a regular. Fotu told the Star-Advertiser he’s been invited back to play for the "Tall Blacks" this summer and fall as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

Granted, at 20, he still shades to the younger side in international competition.

"I just think playing against these older guys is really good for me because they are a lot more experienced than me," he wrote in a message. "It’s also always an honor to play for your country, so I’m glad I’m playing with this team."

Fotu has two seasons of college basketball under his belt, something he lacked in his last go-around with his countrymen. He was named an All-Big West first-team selection as a sophomore — he led UH in field-goal percentage (.584) and was second in scoring (14.9) and rebounding (6.1). He has already pledged to return for his junior season in Manoa.

The 24-team World Cup (formerly the World Championships) rolls around every four years, like its soccer counterpart.

UH coach Gib Arnold said he plans to go to Europe to see Fotu in action. The tournament runs Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.

"I’m absolutely thrilled that Isaac will be representing his country and the University of Hawaii in the FIBA World Cup," Arnold said in a message. "In fact, I’m making the trip to Spain to be his #1 fan."

The Kiwis are projected to be without their most notable player, center Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which could open up more minutes and scoring opportunities for Fotu.

"I haven’t really played much with them, but they help us young guys out a lot, so that makes it a lot easier," Fotu wrote.

First up for the 19th-ranked Kiwis are three friendlies against South Korea in New Zealand. There will be more tune-up games leading up to the start of the World Cup. The Tall Blacks must place in the top four of their six-team group (which includes the United States) to advance to the 16-team knockout stage, which starts Sept. 6.

Should New Zealand keep advancing, Fotu could miss about three weeks of school. Fotu, an academic All-Big West selection last season, will miss some time regardless as the fall semester begins Aug. 25.

"Isaac is an outstanding student and there is NCAA legislation in place for (a) student who miss(es) school to represent their country," Arnold said. "I don’t foresee missing the beginning of school will be an issue for him."

Two former UH players will also represent countries in the 24-team field. Vander Joaquim is playing for his native Angola and Jared Dillinger, a dual citizen, is playing for the Philippines. The countries of the three players with UH ties are in separate groups, so they couldn’t meet up until the knockout stage.