NZL - Fitchett gets Tall Blacks chance

NAPIER (BBNZ) - New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic has called up Nelson Giants point guard Mike Fitchett for this month's series against Venezuela.

Vucinic, who led the Giants to the 2007 national championship, selected Fitchett as his only new cap for the three-match contest, a warm up for the FIBA Oceania Championships Olympic qualifying event against Australia,

Vucinic has had 18 players in camp for the past week in Napier and on Sunday reduced that squad to 12.

Veteran point guard Mark Dickel and NBA prospect Craig Bradshaw are expected to join that group before their first outing against Venezuela, also in Napier, on July 20

Harbour forward Daryl Cartwright earns a recall after four years' absence.

He last donned the black singlet against the Czech Republic in 2003, but enjoyed a solid season off the bench (9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 79.7% FT) in the Heat's regular season success and has responded well to the new Tall Black regime.

"It has been a tough week, not just physically, but also getting to know a new and complex system," observes Vucinic.

"I'm pretty pleased with how they have applied themselves and it is hard to cut six good players at this stage. I would not be surprised if all six play for New Zealand in the future and, who knows, there are still ways for them to get a call up this year.

"This is also a new management team and we have also come together well over the week. Things seem to be working pretty smoothly so far."

Auckland point guard Lindsay Tait also returns after missing last year's FIBA World Championships with a broken wrist.

Vucinic will trim the roster to 12 before the team leaves for the Boris Stankovic Cup in China on July 26

New Zealand team: Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Craig Bradshaw (Brisbane Bullets), Pero Cameron (Waikato Pistons), Daryl Cartwright (Harbour Heat), Mark Dickel (unattached), Mike Fitchett (Nelson Giants), Casey Frank (Auckland Stars), Paul Henare (Bay Hawks), Phill Jones (NZ Breakers), Kirk Penney (NZ Breakers), Tony Rampton (West Sydney Razorbacks), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants), Paora Winitana (NZ Breakers).

Marcus Anselm
FIBA