Sam Worthington, Dominion Post
Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic is leaving a seat on the world championship plane open for Pero Cameron despite the legendary forward failing to take the court in the National Basketball League.

Wellington coach Cameron had hoped to pull on a Saints singlet this season but has been plagued by a serious foot injury that has restricted him to holding a clipboard.

Vucinic said there had been no ultimatum given to Cameron (35), who is arguably New Zealand’s finest basketballer.

“Pero has been unable to play for quite a while now, but we are all hoping that he will have time to get ready for the world championship as he is still a very important part for us,” Vucinic told The Dominion Post from Turkey, where he is coaching club team Darussafaka.

“His form in the NBL is not as important as is his injury status in terms of selection. We all know what Pero can do on a basketball court. If he is healthy we will have enough time to get him ready.”

Asked if he would consider using Cameron as an assistant coach if he was unable to get fit for the championships, which start in Turkey on August 28, Vucinic said he still regarded him an international player, rather than a coach.

Vucinic said he was keeping an open mind on selection, with veteran point guards Paul Henare (retired) and Mark Dickel (surgery) the only players ruled out.

Vucinic is enjoying life in Istanbul and will not return to New Zealand until July. In his absence, assistant coaches Chris Tupu (Nelson coach) and Dillon Boucher (Harbour forward) are keeping an eye on the form of NBL contenders, while he was also awaiting video footage.

Vucinic plans to hold trials before selecting his squad.

“As much as the current form in NBL is important to get the chance for the trial, the important part of selection criteria are past performances in internationals as well as the suitability and ability of players to perform on a much higher level than NBL.”

Vucinic said he had been working overtime behind the scenes to ensure New Zealand were competitive in Turkey, and Basketball New Zealand has almost finalised a buildup schedule.

“It will not be as long a preparation as we would have hoped, but with limited resources I think our schedule will be good.”

The Tall Blacks will be based in the coastal city of Izmir and have been drawn in a pool with defending champions Spain, boasting Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol and teenage sensation Ricky Rubio, plus France, Lithuania, Canada and Lebanon.

“We have a tough section with some world powers in it, but all the sections are tough,” Vucinic said.

“The only thing we know for sure is we will play every game believing we can win it. And this has always been our way.”

Meanwhile, the Saints are pondering adding former Manawatu Jets import Marcel Jones as a temporary replacement for injured American Eric Devendorf.

Jones, who is in New Zealand on holiday, trained with the Saints last night as Cameron weighs up his options ahead of Saturday’s home game against the league-leading Waikato Pistons. Jones was the league’s second highest scorer last season with 27.3 points per game.

Nelson guard Chris Duthie and Porirua forward Jordan Ngatai have already learned so much about international basketball this year, but their education is about to ramp up another level with selection for the Basketball Without Borders camp in Singapore, June 28-July 1.

About 50 young athletes from across Asia and Oceania will attend the event, part of the NBA and FIBA’s global development programme that uses basketball to create social change in the areas of education, health and wellness.

NBA players and coaches will oversee the camp, which will also feature extensive community outreach.

For Duthie (18) and Ngatai (17), it is a prime opportunity to build on the lessons learned during the Junior Tall Blacks’ visit to Europe for the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany last month.

Duthie was the star performer on that tour, averaging 12.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals during the AST, while Ngatai almost led the Emerging Junior Tall Blacks to an upset series victory over Australia at last year’s FIBA Oceania U17 Championships.

“Chris played well against every team at the tournament, and worked hard to develop his defensive footwork and intensity,” reported JTB coach Deslea Wrathall. “He often had to mark the top scorer in other teams and did a good job defensively to contain them.”

Duthie is still buzzing from the experience.

“It was great to see and play against some of the best basketball teams of my age in the world, being able to compare myself with them,” he said.

“I’m very excited to be invited to Singapore and to be coached by NBA players and coaches. Opportunities don’t get any better that this.”

Since leaving Waimea College at the end of 2009, Duthie has enrolled for an engineering degree at Canterbury University, and must now achieve a balance between basketball and studies.

“In terms of basketball, this year has already been very successful and I would wish that to continue,” he said, “That means maintaining and improving my level, and ensuring I’m in the best physical shape for the world championship qualifying series against Australia in September.”

Meanwhile, Ngatai has his sights set on a US college career and sees BWB as a stepping stone towards that goal.

“Jordan learned a lot at the AST and quickly adjusted his game to the international style of play,” said Wrathall. “As the tournament went on, he had longer periods of being able to compete against bigger and more fancied forwards.”

Ngatai was speechless at the prospect of an all-expenses-paid stint in Singapore.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” he said. “Hopefully, it will teach me heaps more about international basketball and make me a better player.”

Players at BWB will be schooled in fundamentals and positional development in morning practices, then get the chance to scrimmage against each other in the evenings.

They will be outfitted in Nike apparel – practice gear, shoes and socks.

Media have less than a week to apply for accreditation to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

The application process requires all media wishing to attend the
championship to fill in and submit an online application form. It has been open
since December 2009 and will close on June 1, 2010.

Requests received after this date will not be considered.

Media will require a password to access the registration portal and should email communications@basketball.org.nz for this.

Please note that the application process is an online service only and it will
not be possible to obtain accreditation for this event by any other means.

The form is available at www.fiba.com/media-accreditation.

We would like to remind you that the online registration form is an
application only and accordingly does not guarantee accreditation to the
event. FIBA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will inform all
applicants of the success of their requests no later than June 15, 2010.

For further information, please contact FIBA Communications at
accreditation@fiba.com if you report to a media organisation with head
offices outside of Turkey.

If you report to a media organisation based
within Turkey, please contact the Communications Department of the Local
Organising Committee at SancarS@tbf.org.tr.

FIBA’s accreditation system allows representatives of the worldwide media to
provide the necessary information quickly and simply without administrative
hustle, and is designed to ensure the best possible working conditions and
facilities for journalists attending the event.

Defending champions Harbour Breeze will open their 2010 Women’s Basketball Championship campaign against newcomers Palmerston North Storm in New Plymouth, June 24.

The Breeze have drawn the Storm, Wellington Swish, NZ Womens Academy and
Waikato Cougars in the opening round at TSB Stadium. Last year’s runners-up Otago Goldrush will face Taranaki Trojans, Waikato Wizards, NZ U16 and Hutt Valley Flyers first up.

The full draw is …

Women’s Basketball Championship

Round One
June 24-26
New Plymouth

SECTION A

Harbour Breeze
Wellington Swish
NZ Womens Academy
Waikato Cougars
Palmerston North Storm

SECTION B

Otago Goldrush
Taranaki Trojans
Waikato Wizards
NZ U16
Hutt Valley Flyers

Thursday, June 26
9am
NZ Academy v Wellington Swish
Taranaki Trojans v Hutt Valley Flyers

11am
Harbour Breeze v PN Storm
NZU16 v Waikato Wizards

2pm
Waikato Cougars v NZ Academy
Otago Goldrush v Hutt Valley Flyers

6pm
Harbour Breeze v Wellington Swish
Taranaki Trojans v Waikato Wizards

8pm
PN Storm v Waikato Cougars
NZU16 v Otago Goldrush

Friday, June 27
9am
Harbour Breeze vs NZ Academy
Waikato Wizards vs Otago Goldrush

11am
PN Storm vs Wellington Swish
NZU16 vs Taranaki Trojans

3pm
Harbour Breeze vs Waikato Cougars
Waikato Wizards vs Hutt Valley Flyers

6pm
NZ Academy vs PN Storm
Taranaki Trojans vs Otago Goldrush

8pm
Wellington Swish vs Waikato Cougars
Hutt Valley Flyers vs NZU16

Saturday, June 28
9am
A4 v B4
A5 v NZU16

11am
A2 vs B2
A3 vs B3

1pm
A1 vs B1

2010 WBC Draw (Round One) (pdf 48kb)

Round 13 games, scores, and standings . . .

2010 NBL Standings

Team P W L Win % GB Pts H A PF PA L5 Strk PD x-Waikato Pistons 16 12 4 75.0 0 24 7-0 5-4 1413 1115 2-3 L3 298 x-Fico Finance Nelson Giants 15 11 4 73.3 0.5 22 6-0 5-4 1216 1121 3-2 W1 95 x-Exodus Saints 15 11 4 73.3 0.5 22 6-1 5-3 1418 1233 4-1 W2 185 Harbour Heat 15 9 6 60.0 2.5 18 5-2 4-4 1399 1360 1-4 W1 39 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 15 9 6 60.0 2.5 18 5-2 4-4 1312 1184 4-1 W2 128 Zerofees Southland Sharks 14 7 7 50.0 5 14 4-5 3-2 1124 1159 3-2 W2 -35 Christchurch Cougars 16 7 9 43.8 4 14 5-3 2-6 1281 1319 4-1 W2 -38 Taranaki Mountainairs 14 6 8 42.9 5 12 4-4 2-4 1132 1152 2-5 L1 -20 e-McDonalds Manawatu Jets 12 1 11 8.3 9 2 0-6 1-5 984 1205 1-4 L1 -221 e-OceanaGold Nuggets 14 0 14 0.0 11 0 0-8 0-6 991 1319 0-5 L14 -328

&- clinched regular season
z- home semifinal
y- home quarterfinal
x- clinched playoff berth
e- eliminated

2010 Bartercard NBL Media Guide (Round 13) (680 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL Playoff Picture (Round 13) (290 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL League Stats (Round 13) (152 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL Top 50 Player Rankings (Round 13) (8 KB pdf)

Friday, May 28

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountain Airs 108 (Jack Leasure 32, Demarshay Johnson 21, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 17) McDonalds Manawatu Jets 78 (Darryl Hudson 26, Richard Jeter 17, Chris Reay 14), Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Gareth Tehan, Kieran Udy
1Q: 19-22
HT: 51-47 (32-25)
3Q: 77-58 (26-11)
FT: 108-78 (31-20)
Airs v Jets Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

Fico Finance Nelson Giants 76 (Mika Vukona 21, Phill Jones 15, Darryl Jones 15), Waikato Pistons 71 (Thomas Abercrombie 24, Hayden Allen 20, Alex Pledger 11), Final

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Tim Brown, Brendan Hodgson
1Q: 18-18
HT: 32-34 (14-16)
3Q: 56-48 (24-14)
FT: 76-71 (20-23)
Pistons v Giants Boxscore (24 KB html)

Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale

0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 102 (Jon Rogers 26, Chris Daniels 24, Everard Bartlet 18) OceanaGold Nuggets 67 (Tyler Amaya 24, John Barber 17, Sam Toomata 12), Final

Referees - Andy Thackray, Shane Nikora, Wayne Start
1Q: 26-20
HT: 51-35 (25-15)
3Q: 73-58 (22-23)
FT: 102-67 (29-9)
Hawks v Nuggets Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Southland Stadium, Invercargill

Zerofees Southland Sharks 88 (Mike Helms 30, Arthur Trousdell 17) Harbour Heat 79 (Anthony 16, Rick Rickert 14), Final

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Hayden Pipe, Bevan Maslin
1Q: 21-17
HT: 38-39 (17-22)
3Q: 61-51 (23-12)
FT: 88-79 (27-28)
Sharks v Heat Boxscore (24 KB html)

Saturday, May 29

At TSB Arena, Wellington

Exodus Saints 103 (Troy McLean 27, Lindsay Tait 19, Leon Henry 14) Waikato Pistons 84 (Thomas Abercrombie 21, Tony Ronaldson 14, Hayden Allen 14), Final

Referees - Tim Brown, Dallas Pickering, Yalla Edwards
1Q: 23-23
HT: 52-33 (29-10)
3Q: 77-58 (25-25)
FT: 103-84 (26-26)
Saints v Pistons Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Edgar Centre, Christchurch

OceanaGold Nuggets 84 (Tyler Amaya 23, John Barber 20, Sam To’omata 14) Harbour Heat 106 (Beny Anthony 25, Kavossy Franklin 24, Corey Webster 21), Final

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Hayden Pipe, Matt Bathurst
1Q: 21-30
HT: 45-61 (24-31)
3Q: 64-89 (19-28)
FT: 84-106 (20-17)
Nuggets v Harbour Boxscore (24 KB html)

Sunday, May 30

At TSB Stadium, Christchurch

Taranaki Mountain Airs 73 (Jeremiah Trueman 21, Jack Leasure 18) Exodus Saints 84 (Lindsay Tait 25, Casey Frank 22, Leon Henry 15), Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Gareth Tehan, Kieran Udy
1Q:17-16
HT: 35-30 (18-14)
3Q: 53-61 (18-30)
FT: 73-84 (20-23)
Airs v Saints Boxscore (24 KB html)

Zerofees Southland Sharks swingman Rene Rougeau wins Round 12 Player of the Week for his performance against the McDonalds Manawatu Jets

25 points (8/13 FG, 2/3 3pt, 7/9 FT), 10 rebounds, 7 steals in the 89-59 win over the McDonalds Manawatu Jets.

Rougeau wins his second POW for his near triple double against the Jets. The former UNLV Running Rebel won his first POW back in Round Seven when he had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the win over the OceanaGold Nuggets. Rougeau leads the league in steals at 3.8 and has got seven steals two times this year. The double double Rougeau got against the Jets is his fourth of the season.

One player who is extremly unlucky not to win POW honors is Josh Pace who had 38 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds in the 102-97 win over the Harbour Heat. The Hawks guard only missed one field goal shooting 14/15.

Pace enters the top 10 overall rankings for the first time this season and is averaging 34 points in his last two games.

Pace’s team mate Chris Daniel had an efficient 22 points shooting 5/6 points from the three point line in that same game.

In that loss to the Hawks, Corey Webster had a season high 40 points which puts him second in the league in scoring at 24.2 points per game. Webster is also second in steals at 3.2 per game.

Other strong performances in Round 12 were from Jets imports Darryl Hudson who had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and Richard Jeter who had 34 points in their first win over the Nuggets.

Cougars Jeremy Kench kept his teams playoff hopes alive with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Fico Finance Nelson Giants.

Giants Phill Jones stepped up big against the Exodus Saints scoring 24 points in the road win.

Taranaki Mountain Airs bigs of Jeremiah Trueman and Demarshay Johnson came up huge in their upset win over the Waikato Pistons each collecting 18 points and 18 rebounds.

Aaron Bailey-Nowell also played well with 16 points and 5 steals.

Pistons Thomas Abercrombie still remains at the top of the overall rankings followed by Saints Eric Devendorf.

For more information on player stats click on the pdfs below

2010 Bartercard NBL Media Guide (Round 13) (680 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL League Stats (Round 12) (148 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL Team Stats (Round 12) (484 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard Media Stats (Round 12) (100 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL Top 50 Player Rankings (Round 12) (124 KB pdf)

2010 Bartercard NBL Playoff Picture (Round 13) (290 KB pdf)

Just when it looked like the Waikato Pistons and Fico Finance Nelson Giants were going to cruise to a top two spot, the Taranaki Mountain Airs and Christchurch Cougars have pulled off their biggest wins of the season.

Cougars guard Jeremy Kench scored 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter, giving the Cougars a 74-63 win over the Giants. Kench also grabbed 10 rebounds against a depleted Giants team who were without Michael Harrison who was injured in their win last night against the Exodus Saints.

It was a horror fourth quarter for the visitors shooting 6/18 in the period and also committed six turnovers. Phill Jones top scored for his side with 17, but shot 7/20. Mika Vukona had a double double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, but the home side restricted him to only two points in three quarters after scoring 12 in the opening period.

Giants shot under 40% from the field and three point line, also shooting 4/10 from the charity stripe. Cougars didnt shoot much better, but manged to shoot 19/24 free throws taking advantage of a 21-11 foul count.

In the first quarter the Giants led 19-13, Cougars struggling from beyond the arc shooting 0/5. Second quarter the Cougars would win 21-14 forcing the Giants to turn the ball over six times.

After the break both teams couldn’t find any offensive rhythm, Cougars finally getting the lead and extending it to six, Giants replyed with a 6-0 run to end the period all tied up.

With the scores tied at the 6:30 mark left, the Cougars went on a massive 21-7 run leading by 14 with one minute left. Cougars making seven free throws in the last two minutes putting the Cougars back in the top six and two games within .500.

In New Plymouth the Taranaki Mountain Airs have pulled off the biggest upset in 2010 beating the Waikato Pistons who have only lost one game this year 85-79.

The Pistons new import Carl Krauser who has been struggling with a foot injury was replaced mid week by former Australian NBL import Rashard Tucker who was rushed into the starting five, fouling out in 28 minutes of game time scoring 4 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

The game would be a foul fest with 47 called, three players from the Pistons fouling out and Aaron Bailey Nowell fouling out for the Airs with 16 points and 5 steals.

Airs nearly blew the game when they were leading by seven with a little over one minute remaining, Pistons scoring six points in under thirty seconds cutting the lead to one with forty one seconds left.

On the next possesion Puke Lendon fouled Airs Alex Wastney, who slotted both free throws. Lendon missed the game tying three attempt and Gerard Bowden missed an attempt led to a Raymond Cameron foul on Jack Leasure (23 points) who made both his free throws.

Bowden turned the ball over with 26 sec left and another Leasure free throw gave the Airs win number five, deleting their five game losing streak.

Airs forced the visitors to turn the ball over 25 times, Jeremiah Trueman and Demarshay Johnson having identical games with 18 points and 8 rebounds a piece.

Alex Pledger had another double double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, but fouled out in 22 minutes. Hayden Allen also fouled out but top scored for the Pistons with 19. Thomas Abercrombie and Tony Ronaldson the only other Pistons to score in double figures scoring 18 and 13 respectively.

In Dunedin the McDonalds Manawatu Jets finally get off the bagel with 89-68 win at the expense of the OceanaGold Nuggets who lose their 12 straight game this season.

After a scoreless game against the Sharks, Richard Jeter exploded with 34 points shooting 6/9 from the three point line. Darryl Hudson nearly picking up a triple double with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Trailing 23-21 in the opening period, the Jets would win the next three quarters leading by as many as 21 in the fourth.

Jets would have an outstanding third quarter holding the home side to only nine points making only two field goals. Jeter and Hudson scoring 19 of the Jets 23 points in the third.

The one bright spot for the Nuggets was the play of young kiwi guard James Ross who scored 18 points and dished 5 assists. But the Nuggets will be very worried that they will be joining the company of the 1998 Northland Suns and the 2009 Taranaki Mountain Airs who are the only teams in the NBL to ever have a winless season.

Saturday, May 22

At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

Christchurch Cougars 74 (Jeremy Kench 22, Tim Behrendorff 15, Trent Wurtz 12) Fico Finance Nelson Giants 63 (Phill Jones 17, Tony Rampton 15, Mika Vukona 14), Final

Referees - Gavin Zimmerman, Rawyn Willocks, Hayden Pipe
1Q: 13-19
HT: 34-33 (21-14)
3Q: 48-48 (14-15)
FT: 74-63 (26-15)
Cougars v Giants Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Edgar Centre, Dunedin

OceanaGold Nuggets 68 (James Ross 18, Sam To’omata 13, Tyler Amaya 11, John Barber 11) McDonalds Manawatu Jets 89 (Richard Jeter 34, Darryl Hudson 20, Chris Reay 12), Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Raelene Forde, Matt Bathurst
1Q: 23-21
HT: 37-42 (14-21)
3Q: 46-65 (9-23)
FT: 68-89 (22-24)
Nuggets v Jets Boxscore (24 KB html)

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountain Airs 85 (Jack Leasure 23, Jeremiah Trueman 18, Demarshay Johnson 18, Aaron Bailey Nowell 16) Waikato Pistons 79 (Hayden Allen 19, Thomas Abercrombie 18, Alex Pledger 13, Tony Ronaldson 13), Final

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Jamie Hickey, Kieran Udy
1Q: 24-15
HT: 41-33
3Q: 62-52 (21-19)
FT: 85-79 (23-27)
Airs v Pistons Boxscore (24 Kb html)

Fico Finance Nelson Giants have got their double header off to a brilliant start beating the Exodus Saints 80-65 at TSB Arena

Giants were the last team to beat the Saints at TSB Arena back in Round Two in 2009. Phill Jones was outstanding top scoring with 24 points including nine points in the final quarter in which the Giants won 22-13. Darryl Jones was efficient off the bench scoring 13 points without missing a shot.

Saints were not helped by the fact that their best player Eric Devendorf injured his ankle early in the second quarter and did not play the rest of the game. Giants had a similar scare with Michael Harrison in the second quarter, but managed to play some minutes in the third.

Giants dictated terms in the opening quarter keeping the game at their pace leading 22-15. In the second the Saints got to within three a couple of times but their offense looked out of sync without Devendorf, Giants with a 41-35 lead at the break.

In the third it looked like the Saints were back in the game when a Leon Henry three cut the deficit to two, but after a good time out by Giants coach Chris Tupu the visitors replyed with an 8-0 run to lead thanks to Mike Fitchett who scored five of his twelve in the run.

Giants began the fourth the right way with a 6-0 run, Phill Jones scoring eight in the first two minutes. They say defense wins championships and the Giants will be quietly confident holding the home side to a season low 65 points.

The Giants will now go down south to play the Christchurch Cougars tomorrow and look to move closer to the top spot where the Waikato Pistons hold at present.

Zerofees Southland Sharks have proven why they should be in the top six thrashing the McDonalds Manawatu Jets 89-59 in Invercargill.

Sharks Rene Rougeau had a double double of 25 points and 10 rebounds and also grabbing 7 steals, while Mike Helms had impressive game with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Sharks put the defensive clamps on the Jets holding them to 28% from the field, 20% beyond the arc and commited 23 turnovers.

The Jets had five players score 10 points, but no one stepped up for the visitors who have now lost 10 on the trot this season.

Jets Darryl Hudson who was averaging over 30 for the Jets was held down to 10 shooting 1/12 from the field. Jets other import Richard Jeter did not score only playing 14 minutes.

In his third game for the Sharks, Arthur Trousdell had 14 points off the bench giving the Sharks win number six and more importantly back in the top six.

In the Shore the Harbour Heat have suffered their fourth loss in a row going down to the 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks who blitzed the home side in the fourth scoring 36 points for their 102-97 win.

In a game that came to life only in fits and starts, Hawke’s Bay held on in the dying seconds as Harbour’s Corey Webster, who had a game-high 40 points, threatened to take the game away.

The opening quarter was defined by turnovers and missed opportunities for Harbour as they struggled to find any rhythm, allowing Hawke’s Bay to lead by nine on the back of a flawless shooting display from import Josh Pace who went seven from seven from the floor in the first half.

Harbour closed with a burst of scoring from Webster and two quick technical fouls called on the Hawke’s Bay bench, bringing the score back to a two-point deficit at the break.

The script was the same in the second half. Harbour got close but could never quite stay with Hawke’s Bay.

Every time the visitors appeared in trouble Chris Daniel (22 points) and Ben Hill (14 points) would step up with a three.

With time almost up on the clock, Harbour finally found an edge and again it was Webster leading the way with a brace of threes to close the gap to one point with 18 seconds to play.

But Hill kept his cool from the line though, as did Everard Bartlett, to seal the win for Hawke’s Bay.

Friday, May 21

At North Shore Events Centre, North Shore

Harbour Heat 97 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 102, Final

Referees - Dallas Pickering, Miguel Gallardo, Cherryl Crabbe
1Q: 20-29
HT: 43-45 (23-16)
3Q: 61-66 (18-21)
FT: 97-102 (36-36)
Heat v Hawks Boxscore (24 KB html)

At TSB Arena, Wellington

Exodus Saints 65 (Casey Frank 14, Leon Henry 11, Nick Horvath 11) Fico Finance Nelson Giants 80 (Phill Jones 24, Darryl Jones 13, Tony Rampton 12, Mike Fitchett 12), Final

Referees - Andy Thackray, Sean Cronin, Yalla Edwards
1Q: 15-22
HT: 35-41 (20-19)
3Q: 52-58 (17-17)
FT: 65-80 (13-22)
Saints v Giants Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Southland Stadium, Invercargill

Zerofees Southland Sharks 89 (Rene Rougeau 25, Mike Helms 18, Arthur Trousdell 14) McDonalds Manawatu Jets 59 (Five Tied 10) , Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Raelene Forde, Bevan Maslin
1Q: 19-13
HT: 50-31 (31-18)
3Q: 68-51 (18-20)
FT: 89-59 (21-18)
Sharks v Jets Boxscore (24 KB html)

Tim Brown’s latest refereeing appointment – to the FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic – will send him back to the drawing board to reconsider his officiating goals.

Meanwhile, fellow official Gavin Zimmerman will step way outside his comfort zone when he appears at the FIBA U18 European Championship for Men (Division B) in Israel, July 22-August 1.

“I was really pleased and excited to receive this invitation, and at the same time a little anxious, having never travelled further than Australia before.”

For Brown (32), the world championship marks a new pinnacle in a career that has already seen him preside at Olympic and WC qualifying events, as well as in the Australian NBL.

“This is a huge appointment, not only for me, but also for Basketball New Zealand and FIBA Oceania,” says Brown.

“The appointment to a world championship far exceeds goals that I had in refereeing, particularly in the short to medium term, and I intend to make the most of the opportunity.

“After the tournament, I will reassess my goals.”

Born across the Tasman, Brown relocated to Auckland seven years ago to be with now-wife Jaimee, a former referee herself, a move that has probably accelerated his promotion through the ranks.

“People ask me if we would move back to Australia, but I am happy and settled in New Zealand, and feel privileged to represent New Zealand on the world stage,” he says.

“[In Australia], this opportunity would not have been available so early on in my international career.”

Zimmerman’s progress has been less meteoric, but includes 12 years in our national league and an IWBF badge to referee wheelchair basketball.

His highest international appointment to date was the 2006 Tall Blacks v Qatar home series, but after achieving his FIBA license last year, the Christchurch-based ref took the court for the Oceania U17 championships in Brisbane.

“One of my life goals was to receive my FIBA badge,” says Zimmerman (40). “Now that I have my badge, I suppose my next goal is to perform and do well in Israel, and hope that further appointments will follow.”

Basketball New Zealand chief executive Tim Hamilton is proud that international recognition of NZ basketball does not end with national teams.

“These appointments are great news for our refereeing community and show the pathway for young officials, who also dream of performing on the world stage some day,” he says.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman will be in NBL action on Saturday, controlling the Christchurch Cougars v fico Nelson Giants clash in Christchurch.

With 100 days to go before the start of the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men in Turkey, organisers say all tickets that were available on public sale for the event have already sold out.

Only a small contingent will be made available shortly before the event begins on August 28.

Around 350,000 people are expected to attend the championship, which culminates in the final on September 12.

The event will be played in four cities - Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri - and feature 24 teams, with 288 players playing 80 games. Two new venues have been built especially for the Championship.

Patrick Baumann, the Secretary-General of basketball’s governing body FIBA and a member of the International Olympic Committee, said:

“The 2010 World Championship will be the world’s biggest ever basketball competition, and the biggest event ever to be held in Turkey. We are delighted that all available tickets have already sold out, a sign that the world’s second biggest sport is as popular as ever.

“Basketball has a clean, positive and exciting image and is followed by over 450million people around the world. Its future is as bright as ever and the World Championship will be a clear symbol of the sport’s growing success.”

The first round of the Championship, which returns to Europe for the first time in 12 years, will be played from 28th August to 12th September and feature superstars including Kobe Bryant.

The team winning the FIBA World Championship 2010 will qualify automatically for the London 2012 Olympics.

The following teams have qualified for Turkey:

Group A (Kayseri): Angola, Argentina, Australia, Germany, Jordan, Serbia

Group B (Istanbul): Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Slovenia, Tunisia, USA

Group C (Ankara): China, Greece, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey

Group D (Izmir): Canada, France, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand, Spain

Identified U13 athletes are now being invited to register for the Basketball New Zealand Development Cluster Camps on June 19/20.

Athletes nominated and endorsed by their local associations are elligible to attend, while U17 players, to be named later, must be selected and invited by BBNZ.

The camps, scheduled for Cambridge, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Auckland, Nelson and Dunedin, are open to all coaches and support staff looking for further development opportunities.

Deadline for registation and payment ($50) is Tuesday, June 8. For further information, contact BBNZ at bbnz@basketball.org.nz or 04 498 5950.

U13 Cluster Camp Registration Form (pdf 103kb)

U13 Cluster Camp Flyer (pdf 96kb)

BBNZ Training Singlet & Shorts Order Form (pdf 112kb)

Basketball New Zealand invites expressions of interest for the position of assistant coach for the NZ U17 Men, to contest the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in New Caledonia in October.

All candidates must possess the following general attributes:

• Committed and enthusiastic to be involved in BBNZ programmes, displaying loyalty to BBNZ, the development programme and personnel

• Will act as a positive ambassador and spokesperson for BBNZ

• Demonstrated commitment to a long-term athlete centered development

• Excellent communication and team-building skills

• A willingness to share information and experiences with other members of the basketball community

• A willingness to contribute to Basketball New Zealand Development initiatives and underpinning programmes (clinics, workshops, camps)

• Actively pursuing other opportunities for professional development

• A member in good standing of their respective association/school

Coaches must possess the following basketball attributes:

• Advanced level of coaching certification

• Superior knowledge of technical and tactical aspects of basketball

• Understanding of international basketball and demands placed on athletes, coaches and teams at the international level

• Knowledge of the required skill and training levels for elite athletes at the junior level (under 19)

• Familiarity with the talent pool in New Zealand would be advantageous

• Experience dealing with elite athletes and coaching at the national or international level

• Demonstrated history of coaching success at the highest levels of competition

• Willingness to assist the development programme in implementing a national philosophy and common playing outcomes

• Actively coaching within association/school programmes

Please send expressions of interest to BBNZ before COB, Friday, May 28, 2010. Expression of Interest MUST contain the following information:

• Current contact details

• Current coaching/manager activities (last two years)

• Coaching/manager CV (no more than one page)

• Letter of endorsement from local association

For further information please contact Basketball New Zealand at bbnz@basketball.org.nz or ph 04 498 5950.