Twelve athletes have been selected for the Junior Tall Blacks team to tour Europe in March/April. Building towards the 2010 FIBA Oceania Championship for Men in September, the JTBs will contest the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Tournament at Mannheim, Germany, from April 3-11. Basketball New Zealand is also finalising a schedule that could include up to five preparation games in Europe leading up to that event. “It is always the highest honour for any athlete to represent their country on the international stage and it is no different for these athletes,” says coach Deslea Wrathall. “The 2010 JTB team introduces several young and exciting athletes to the international basketball stage and we will be working to build the belief that each of them can compete at this level. “The coaching staff believes we have a group of young men capable of performing to a high standard. We will utilise the expertise of a number of other coaches and sports science specialists to further develop their skill, fitness and desire to compete. “All the athletes are currently on conditioning programmes and working with individual skill coaches weekly. Each will be measured at the next JTB camp in late January/early February.”

Brad Anderson (North Harbour), Nicholas Barrow (Counties Manukau), Chris Duthie (Nelson), Hyrum Hippolite (Porirua), Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson (North Harbour), Stefan Mandic (North Harbour), Jordan Ngatai (Porirua), Mark Overdevest (Waikato), Jerome Tafa (Auckland), Tia Temata-Frost (Palmerston North), Reuben Te Rangi (CountiesManukau), Max Williams (New Plymouth)