NZL - Vucinic gets Tall Blacks post

WELLINGTON (FIBA Oceania Championship) - Nenad Vucinic has been named as the new head coach of the New Zealand Tall Blacks.

The Serbian-born coach, a former New Zealand international and assistant to outgoing boss Tab Baldwin, has signed a 12-month deal to succeed the American.
Basketball New Zealand chief executive Bryn McGoldrick said: “Nenad is the man for this job.

“He knows the importance of the campaign to the entire basketball community of New Zealand, and I can assure them that our aspirations are in the very best hands.

“He has the complete confidence of this organisation and the players, and has the experience and respect internationally to consolidate and enhance the Tall Blacks international reputation.

“There is no one in New Zealand more qualified to take over from Tab, and he passionately wants the job.”

Vucinic settled in New Zealand as a teenager, making his international debut in 1992 and spending eight years in the team before retiring after the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

As a coach, he led Nelson to the national title in 1998 and has five Coach of the Year awards.

His first opportunity to lead the team will come aginst Australia in the 2007 FIBA Oceania Championships, which doubles as the qualifying event for the Beijing Olympics.

PA Sport