The discovery of Tall Black Mike Karena

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Former Nelson basketballer, Mike Karena was surprised by the Tall Blacks call up ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers but now he’s the one surprising everyone.

Mike’s name wasn’t on everyone’s lips when the time came to announce the Tall Blacks team to tour Asia and Europe in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers, but the quietly spoken 22 year old is doing all the right things so far.

“I was a little surprised to be named in the team, I didn’t know what to expect or what the level would be like…For me staying on this tour as long as possible is important, it is not every day you are surrounded by the country’s best players, players who have competed against the best in the world.

“It has been pretty cool, a different culture and playing alongside some of the best players in the country, it has been a good experience. I feel like I am a rookie again, coming from College where you are a senior in the group and basically going to a new level and feeling like the kid in the group again, it is great to have people like Mika and Tom around to teach you how to get to the next level and what it takes to compete.”

Tall Blacks Head Coach Paul Henare says he is impressed the with four new players including Nelson Giant Finn Delaney but says Mike is making waves.

“I don’t like to but if I was to single out a guy, Mike Karena has been the surprise package for me, the physicality and inside presence that he is giving us right now – which is something that has been talked about in the media in recent times, he has been doing that and is playing at a higher level right now than he was in the NBL.”

Mike is Christchurch born but spent his formative years in Nelson, attending Nelson College and learning his game in what is a hot bed of the sport here in New Zealand.

“I started playing basketball late, not until I was 14, but once I got into it I picked it up quickly, I was in a good programme in Nelson and one thing led to another and options opened up.”

Mike then secured a scholarship to the United States, spending the past couple of years at Wright University in Dayton Ohio, before returning to finish the season with the Rams.