As predicted a number of new young faces have been selected for next week’s Tall Blacks trial in Auckland. The youngest is 17 years old Westlake Boys High School student Jack Salt. The 6’10” centre could well become the latest player from the Westlake basketball conveyor belt to be selected for the Tall Blacks.
Others to have progressed through the North Harbour junior system are Brad Anderson and Marco Alexander. Both players have had success in the NBL this season, Anderson (12.5ppg) with the Taranaki Mountain Airs and Alexander (11.3ppg) with the Waikato Pistons.
Former Sky City Breakers Development player Dion Prewster gets a call up. Prewster was captain of the Junior Tall Blacks team that contested the World Junior Championships in NZ in 2009 and has recently played in the NBL for Southland and Hawkes Bay. Brook Ruscoe was also a member of the 2009 JTB’s, a prolific scorer in age group basketball he has enjoyed a good season with the Nelson Giants.
Reuben Te Rangi has risen to prominence in the last couple of years. The 18 year old has recently signed a full time contract with the Breakers, was Rookie of the Year in the NBL in 2012 with the Harbor Heat and this season has played for the Southland Sharks.
Jordan Ngatai and Tom Vodanovich both hale from Wellington and both have had Junior Tall Blacks experience but neither have had much in the way of NBL experience.
Having summoned so many fresh faces into the training squad, expect at least a couple of new caps when the team is announced in eight days time. My money will be on Te Rangi and Salt.
LACEY LOWDOWN 