Jun 21, 2007, 1:18 am
From http://www.fiba.com
NZL - Vucinic turns to experienced pair
WELLINGTON (National Team) - New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic has selected Europe-based veterans Phill Jones and Kirk Penney in his first squad since succeeding Tab Baldwin.
Former Tall Black point guard Vucinic has included Jones and Penney, who are both transfer targets for the Auckland-based NZ Breakers Australian NBL franchise, in a 19-man squad.
The Serbia-born coach has included the entire FIBA World Championship squad, except retired guard Aaron Olson.
Uncapped Hayden Allen and Daryl Cartwright, last selected four years ago, have also been included after leading North Harbour Heat to the national championship.
Vucinic said: "To be honest, I was not considering guys like Hayden and Daryl in March.
"But because of their form and especially how well they have made their team perform through the NBL, I have taken that into account.
"The league is an ideal environment to judge players trying to break into this level and it's fair to say some players didn't make these trials because they haven't performed well in the NBL."
Other debutants include Everard Bartlett and naturalised American Nick Horvath, who will contest a berth with Casey Frank, should his application for citizenship be fast-tracked.
The team meet in July 1 at Napier ahead of three-match series against Venezuela starting on July 20, which acts as preparation for the Olympic qualifiers against Australia in August.
New Zealand squad: Hayden Allen (Harbour Heat), Everard Bartlett (Bay Hawks), Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Craig Bradshaw (Winthrop University), Pero Cameron (Waikato Pistons), Daryl Cartwright (Harbour Heat), Mark Dickel (unattached), Mike Fitchett (Nelson Giants), Paul Henare (Bay Hawks), Ben Hill (Waikato Pistons), Nick Horvath (Wellington Saints), Phill Jones (Cantu, Italy), Jeremy Kench (Canterbury Rams), Kirk Penney (Alba Berlin, Germany), Tony Rampton (West Sydney Razorbacks), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants), Paora Winitana (Bay Hawks).
NZL - Vucinic turns to experienced pair
WELLINGTON (National Team) - New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic has selected Europe-based veterans Phill Jones and Kirk Penney in his first squad since succeeding Tab Baldwin.
Former Tall Black point guard Vucinic has included Jones and Penney, who are both transfer targets for the Auckland-based NZ Breakers Australian NBL franchise, in a 19-man squad.
The Serbia-born coach has included the entire FIBA World Championship squad, except retired guard Aaron Olson.
Uncapped Hayden Allen and Daryl Cartwright, last selected four years ago, have also been included after leading North Harbour Heat to the national championship.
Vucinic said: "To be honest, I was not considering guys like Hayden and Daryl in March.
"But because of their form and especially how well they have made their team perform through the NBL, I have taken that into account.
"The league is an ideal environment to judge players trying to break into this level and it's fair to say some players didn't make these trials because they haven't performed well in the NBL."
Other debutants include Everard Bartlett and naturalised American Nick Horvath, who will contest a berth with Casey Frank, should his application for citizenship be fast-tracked.
The team meet in July 1 at Napier ahead of three-match series against Venezuela starting on July 20, which acts as preparation for the Olympic qualifiers against Australia in August.
New Zealand squad: Hayden Allen (Harbour Heat), Everard Bartlett (Bay Hawks), Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Craig Bradshaw (Winthrop University), Pero Cameron (Waikato Pistons), Daryl Cartwright (Harbour Heat), Mark Dickel (unattached), Mike Fitchett (Nelson Giants), Paul Henare (Bay Hawks), Ben Hill (Waikato Pistons), Nick Horvath (Wellington Saints), Phill Jones (Cantu, Italy), Jeremy Kench (Canterbury Rams), Kirk Penney (Alba Berlin, Germany), Tony Rampton (West Sydney Razorbacks), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants), Paora Winitana (Bay Hawks).
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