The NZ Tall Blacks have confirmed the 12 players to travel to the build up tournaments for the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Championship for Men in Turkey next month. Three players will be making an appearance at their third world championship – veterans Pero Cameron, who has been named captain, Phil Jones and NZ Breakers star Kirk Penney, the team vice-captain. The world championship preparations commence on July 26, with build up matches and mini tournaments and training camps to be held in Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey. However, head coach Nenad Vucinic is careful to explain that those selected may not necessarily be at the world champs, potentially leaving room for NBA star Sean Marks to make the side if he recovers from his shoulder surgery in time. “It was a tough call for myself, Dillon (Boucher) and Chris (Tupu) to select this team. They worked hard over the past couple of days. “It was the hardest one I’ve had to pick,” said Vucinic. “There are seven disappointed guys out there. “But let’s hope it makes them stronger for the future. Any of them could have been there. “Sean Marks is still a possibility … a small possibility. We’ll just have to see if that happens.” The selection of Cameron was almost a surprise for Vucinic, who at one stage didn’t believe he’d be fit enough after not playing in the NBL season. “Over the weekend, I thought it was going to be a real struggle for him. He came right completely. I think he was surprised himself.” Cameron says he was doubtful if he would make the team on fitness, especially after he has been recovering from stress fractures in his left foot. “The last two sessions where my best sessions,” he said. “I kept on getting better. “It was a bit of a mental thing – am I able to keep turning it up? But there was progression and the confidence came with it. “There’s some good old heads in the team and plenty of experience. It’s a good solid team.” The team leave on their extensive build up on Monday evening with a schedule that will see the Tall Blacks take on Iran, Serbia and Turkey in Istanbul in early August. Then, a training camp in the same city is followed by matches against Russia, Serbia and Slovenia in Maribor, Slovenia, with another camp afterwards. A mini tournament in Zadar, Croatia, features matches against Russia, Jordan and the home side. New Zealand’s group at the world champs consists of reigning champions Spain, sixth-ranked Lithuania, France at No15, Canada (19) and Lebanon, coached by former Tall Black coach Tab Baldwin, with a ranking of 24. The Tall Blacks are ranked at 13th in the world according to FIBA rankings. Their first game at the world championships is against Lithuania, August 28. The Tall Blacks tour squad is Thomas Abercrombie (Waikato Pistons), Benny Anthony Jnr (Harbour Heat), Craig Bradshaw (unattached), captain Pero Cameron (Wellington Saints), Casey Frank (Wellington Saints), Phill Jones (Nelson Giants), Jeremy Kench (Christchurch Cougars), Mike Fitchett (Nelson Giants), vice-captain Kirk Penney (NZ Breakers), Alex Pledger (Waikato Pistons), Lindsay Tait (Wellington Saints) and Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants).