NZL - Funding boost for Tall Blacks

AUCKLAND (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - An important funding decision has been made in New Zealand that bodes well for the Tall Blacks' 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign.

After providing no money to hoops in 2013, High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) have awarded Basketball New Zealand up to $200,000 in 2014 to help the men's team as it goes after a top 16 finish in Spain.

"We did not support Basketball NZ last year because we did not have confidence that they were tracking towards the Olympic Games in 2020," HPSNZ chief executive Alex Baumann said on Wednesday.

"However, the Tall Blacks have qualified for the World Cup and they have a number of promising young players in their ranks.

"Our investment will give them a leg up to see what they can do.

"Basketball NZ presented us with a plan focused on international competition in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup and we are investing in that campaign."

The strong start by Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Steven Adams has no doubt grabbed the attention of HPSNZ.

The 2.13m center, selected 12th overall in last June's draft, is averaging almost 17 minutes per game for the Thunder, one of the top teams in the league.

Some of the HPSNZ funding can be used to cover player insurance, "in cases where international players can be released to play for New Zealand."

That should make it easier for New Zealand to have the 20-year-old Adams in their squad.

Basketball NZ chief executive Iain Potter said: "He's (Adams) expressed on many occasions his desire to play for the Tall Blacks, but I think it will really help.

"Because it gives us a little bit of budget and it sends a signal to Steven and to others that High Performance Sport are backing them."

New Zealand have had a strong presence in international hoops since the 2000 Olympics.

The following year, the Tall Blacks beat Australia in the FIBA Oceania Championship to qualify for the 2002 FIBA World Championship.

In Indianapolis, the New Zealanders made headlines with an unexpected run to the Semi-Finals.

The Kiwis also competed at the 2004 Olympics, and the 2006 and 2010 FIBA World Championships.

They are No. 19 in the FIBA Ranking Men after the 2013 Continental Championships.

FIBA