New Zealand - Pero Cameron
Cameron has been a pivotal player for the Tall Blacks since making his debut in 1994, culminating with his selection in the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 FIBA World Championship as the Tall Blacks finished fourth and stunned the world. While not a quick player, Cameron is strong and knows how to use his body in the low post, and is one of the best passing frontcourt players in world basketball. Unfortunately for New Zealand, injuries seem to have caught up with the 36 year old Cameron, forcing him out of the Australian and New Zealand NBL seasons. While coach Vucinic has stated there is a place available for Cameron if fit, that appears to be a long shot at this time. Cameron has won seven New Zealand NBL titles and individually earned five Kiwi MVP awards. He has also played professionally in Malaysia, England, Turkey, Iran and Australia. This NZNBL season he entered the coaching ranks and led the Wellington Saints to the championship.
Date of Birth: 05/06/1974
Place of Birth: Tokoroa
Height: 1.98 m
Weight: 120 kg
Position: Forward
Throughout his career, Cameron was a pivotal player for the Tall Blacks from making his debut in 1994, until announcing his retirement in 2010.
Among his career highlights were his participation in two Olympic Games and (2000 and 2004) and three FIBA World Championships (2002, 2006 and 2010), the first of which saw him average 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on his way to being named in the All-Tournament Team , as the Tall Blacks stunned the world with a fourth place finish.
Ironically, his greatest Olympic showings came in two narrow back-to-back defeats in Athens, as Cameron inspired his team pouring in 21 and 18 points against gold medallists Argentina (94-98) and world basketball powerhouses Spain (84-88).
While not a quick player, Cameron possessed exceptional strength and knowing how to use his body in the low post, establishing himself as one of the best passing frontcourt players in world basketball.
In his last major tournament for New Zealand at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, Cameron - after a season struggling for fitness - served not only as a player, but more importantly as a mentor to team's younger players, bringing all his experience and intelligence to a young Tall Black team.
Cameron won seven New Zealand NBL titles and individually earned five Kiwi MVP awards. A fierce competitor but appreciated by teammates and opponents alike, Cameron played professionally in Malaysia, England, Turkey, Iran and Australia.
Following the end of his playing career, Cameron set his sights on a coaching career, as head coach of NZNBL team Wellington Exodus and assistant coach of Australian side Gold Coast Blaze and many in New Zealand predict that the Tall Blacks' captain for more than a decade will, at some point down the line, take over the reins of New Zealand's national team.