NZL - Coach Cameron still has a chance to play in Turkey for Tall Blacks

WELLINGTON (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Pero Cameron is one of the most famous players ever to compete at FIBA World Championships.

In 2002, he helped New Zealand go on a stunning run to the Semi-Finals by averaging 14.7 points, five rebounds and 3.6 assists and after appearing at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Cameron was back in the squad at the FIBA World Championship in 2006.

Now 35, Cameron hasn’t been able to play in the NBL this season because of a foot injury and has instead coached Wellington.

According to national team coach Nenad Vucinic, Cameron still has a chance to play this summer.

“Pero has been unable to play for quite a while now, but we are all hoping that he will have time to get ready for the World Championship as he is still a very important part for us,” Vucinic said to The Dominion Post.

“His form in the NBL is not as important as is his injury status in terms of selection. We all know what Pero can do on a basketball court. If he is healthy ,we will have enough time to get him ready.”

Vucinic, meanwhile, should not have any trouble adapting to the Turkish summer because he’s already been in the country coaching Darussafaka.

New Zealand will play their Preliminary Round games in Izmir.

They are in Group D with Spain, France, Lithuania, Canada and Lebanon.

FIBA