Mika to lead New Zealand

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It appears that Mika Vukona is an optimist. Despite leaving for China without the likes of Kirk Penney, Steven Adams, Lindsay Tait, Isaac Fotu, Leon Henry, Alex Pledger and Rob Loe alongside him, the Tall Blacks captain still believes it is an exciting time for New Zealand basketball.

The Tall Blacks, who are coached by former Giants coach Nenad Vucinic, will face two Chinese club sides this week before taking on Cameroon, a Canada selection and another Chinese side in a four-team tournament – all in preparation for the home-and-away Oceania championship against Australia, starting on August 14 in Auckland.

When questioned about the current squad, which includes four newcomers, one of which is Nelson Giants guard Brook Ruscoe, the first noun Mika replies with is excitement. “Yeah it’s definitely excitement. Look obviously we’ve lost four or five experienced players but it’s a great way for the new guys to jump into the deep end and find out whether they can play, and I think they can,” says the New Zealand Breakers power forward.

With one player in the squad just 16 years old and a few more still at secondary school, it’s fair to say the Tall Blacks will be calling on the experience of Mika, who has gone without a true break from basketball since October last year. And that is something he is more than happy to help out with. “I think it’s a good situation because guys are learning off you, you’re learning off them. The majority of this team are pretty enthusiastic and everybody is giving it 100 per cent.”

While beating Australia next month will be the side’s main focus, Mika says the trip to China is vital to get the youngsters up to speed with international basketball. “We just want to get these guys experience, let them know this how you play international basketball and get the offense sorted so by the time we come to play Australia we’ll know what we’re doing.”

A third Giant, Josh Bloxham, was expected to be on the plane to China on Sunday but injured an ankle during a warm up game against the Philippines. He is now in doubt for the Australian series.