NZL – Webster among four new Tall Blacks to face Boomers

WELLINGTON (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Teenager Corey Webster is looking to prove that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough after being given a chance to compete for a place in the New Zealand Tall Blacks squad for next month’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens.

The 19-year-old shooting guard, the son of NBL great Tony Webster – the current coach of the Harbour Heat – has been included in a 14-man group for next week’s Al Ramsay Shield series against Australia.

“Corey has scoring ability and a real nose for the basket,” New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic said.

“He has a scorer’s mentality and it’s up to him how far that takes him.”

Webster spent the past year on scholarship at Lambuth University in the United States where he was named Freshman of the Year in the NAIA TranSouth Conference.

Since returning home, Webster has signed on as a development player with the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers.

American-born Nick Horvath, a former player under Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski at American college basketball powerhouse Duke University, along with 2.13m center Alex Pledger and point guard Jeremy Kench have also been given their first chance to represent the Tall Blacks.

Pledger, 21, has played for the Junior Tall Blacks and spent two years at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

During four days of trials, Pledger’s play suggested he will be able to help New Zealand on the defensive end but he also has the ability to step outside hit jump shots.

“In a lot of ways, Alex and Corey are a stab in the dark,” Vucinic said.

“We feel they can be international players in the future, but they really have to justify their inclusion and work hard.

“Obviously, in Alex, we see size, good mobility for that size and good outside shooting.”

The 24-year-old Kench gets his chance through the unavailability of veterans Mark Dickel and Paul Henare this year.

Horvath, meanwhile, will compete with Casey Frank for the one naturalized spot on the roster.

He became a citizen of New Zealand earlier this year and plays with Century City Wellington Saints.

“That is going to be a very, very tough decision because they are both very good players,” Vucinic said.

“Nick would provide a bit of size, but Casey has more international experience … it’s going to be very difficult.”

The Tall Blacks’ first game against Australia is at the North Shore Events Centre on June 26 before travelling to Melbourne for the second clash.

Vucinic will then cut two players before the team flies to Canada.

New Zealand will go into their Group B games at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament against Germany and Cape Verde without many of the players who have brought so much attention to the program since the 2002 FIBA World Championship, when the team reached the semi-finals.

Players have retired or decided to take this summer off.

Sharpshooter Kirk Penney will be in Greece but commitments in the United States will prevent him from taking on Australia.

He will join the Tall Blacks in Canada for their Jack Donoghue Tri-Series (July 1-4) against the hosts and Lebanon.

“Kirk’s absence is a loss, but it will provide opportunities for others as we try to bring new players into our program,” Vucinic said.

“This team has been selected with the future in mind, while also preserving some experience and remaining competitive.

“I do think this is a good team with a nice balance to it and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

FIBA