Schoolboy to don Tall Blacks singlet
IN the finest traditions of contemporary Tall Blacks basketball, Auckland schoolboy Kruz PerrotHunt has been handed the opportunity of his young hoops life.
The 17-year-old Rosmini College standout is the shock selection in Paul Henare’s squad of 14 unveiled today to prepare for World Cup qualifying games against Hong Kong (Rotorua, June 28) and China (Auckland, July 1).
The Tall Blacks, who live and die by the motto ‘‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’’, have never been afraid to pitch a schoolboy into their mix. PerrotHunt joins a list that includes Rob Loe, Tai Webster, Jack Salt, Tai Wynyard, Isaac Fotu and Izayah Mauriohooho Le’Afa who have all pulled on their country’s colours while still at high school.
Coach Henare said PerrotHunt’s mature, aggressive and skilful showing through their recent training camp in Wellington merited inclusion in a group that, with the absence of the Webster brothers, takes a little peek at the future, while still being ready to take care of current business.
Henare has named 14 for the two home games in the Fiba window principally to add a development layer to the experience. With just 12 suiting up for the two games, he isn’t sure whether Perrot-Hunt will see time in this window, but is certain the experience will ooze benefits for the 1.90m point guard.
Henare said the youngster impressed in Wellington with his confidence and all-round package of skills, and they were keen to give him a close-up look at the Tall Blacks before he heads off to the American college game.
‘‘We think it’s important for these kids we see as part of the future of the programme to get an early taste of what it’s like to be a Tall Black, and hopefully it’s a long-lasting, positive impression.
‘‘But he deserves this. He came in and competed right from day one and made the most of his opportunity. He has a really good feel for the game, and made good reads in pick-and-roll situations that you just don’t see from 17-year-olds.
‘‘He’s also got a toughness about him we liked. He can do a little bit everything, and though you wouldn’t say he’s outstanding in any one area at the offensive end, he’s good across the board.’’
Perrot-Hunt is one of six guards chosen for the series, four of whom can run the point. Shea Ili, just back from his tryout with the Dallas Mavericks, Jarrod Kenny and Dartmouth-based Isaac Letoa are the other one men, alongside Jordan Ngatai and the recalled Dion Prewster.
Derone Raukawa and Ethan Rusbatch, who both played at the Commonwealth Games, are the notables among seven players from the training camp who missed selection.
Henare said he had ‘‘tough’’ conversations with both to assure them they remained on the Tall Blacks’ radar with still plenty of Fiba windows to come.
Letoa is the other young notable in the guard contingent, the 19-year-old in for his second Tall Blacks experience coming off his freshman year in the Ivy League.
The six forwards chosen all have plenty of international experience, while Salt returns after sitting out the last few years to provide likely backup to Rob Loe at centre.
Eighteen-year-old Australia-based ‘‘sevenfooter’’ Tyrell Harrison missed the cut but Henare said he had been worthy of his place at the camp and would remain on their radar for future opportunities.
Henare was relishing the chance to take the Tall Blacks to Rotorua to meet a Hong Kong outfit they would not be taking lightly, despite crushing them by 59 points last November.