New Zealand - Sean Marks tipped for Tall Blacks
New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic is confident that Phoenix Suns forward Sean Marks will end his four-year international retirement and take on Australia in August. "He is very interested but he couldn't make a decision around Christmas time when I spoke to him," said Vucinic, who met with Marks in the United States.
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New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic is confident that Phoenix Suns forward Sean Marks will end his four-year international retirement and take on Australia in August.
"He is very interested but he couldn't make a decision around Christmas time when I spoke to him," said Vucinic, who met with Marks in the United States.
He believes Marks, who will make a final decision next month, has a renewed desire to front up for the Tall Blacks after logging only 108 games in seven NBA seasons with Toronto, Miami, San Antonio and the Suns. He has played only three games for the Suns this season.
"Maybe his hunger for play will prevail. He likes to play for New Zealand but has to juggle commitments because he still travels with the Suns."
Marks has not played for the Tall Blacks since their fourth-placed finish at the world championships in 2002. Vucinic says having him lead the forward line in tandem with NBA-bound Craig Bradshaw would be a huge boost in the three-game Oceania Olympic playoff against the Boomers.
Marks, 31, has been a back-up squad member for the high-flying Suns after filling the same role for San Antonio for two years, winning a NBA championship ring in 2005.
Vucinic says having the 2.08m forward, a former North Harbour junior, will give the Tall Blacks a much better shot at toppling the Boomers, who named a star-studded 17-man squad last week.
"It's the strongest ever Aussie squad with all the overseas players available. They do present a challenge for us but I still believe it's an achievable goal to beat them in Australia."
If they don't the Tall Blacks will go up against a host of top sides in a repechage tournament.
"There would be some very strong teams. Only the top qualifier from Europe and the Americas goes straight to Beijing. In a lot of ways it is easier to qualify direct from Oceania."
He said all the Tall Blacks who went to last year's world championships in Japan are available and he will run his eye over New Zealand-based talent at three trials - on April 9 in Auckland, April 15 in Palmerston North, and May 12 in Nelson.