Cameron keeps cool after Tall Blacks win At a glance
Rising Tall Blacks star Flynn Cameron showed composure on the court and control off it, as he narrowly prevented himself from an awkward ‘Dad’ moment at the postmatch conference.
In an outstanding final quarter, Cameron drove the
Tall Blacks into a semifinal showdown with the Australian Boomers following an upset and hugely significant 88-78 win over South Korea in the
Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, yester- day.
With the game locked up 60-60 at three-quarter time, Cameron stepped up – much like his father used to do – with 14 points in a dominant fourth quarter where the 22-year-old guard showed composure, mixed with skill and determination to lead the Kiwis to victory. The youthful Tall Blacks outscored the highly rated Korea 28-18 in the last quarter.
Cameron, the MVP for the match, broke into a chuckle at the postmatch press conference when he saved himself from using the d-word, just, in a heartwarming family moment.
‘‘It’s a great learning environment being a part of the New Zealand Tall Blacks, coaches like my ... Pero,’’ Cameron said before breaking into laughter when he realised he almost called his coach Dad.
Cameron, who plays for the UC Riverside Highlanders in California where he studies business marketing, also pulled down nine boards and dished out eight assists as well as scoring a game high 22 points.
Taki Fahrensohn scored 16 points, highlighted by four triples from beyond the arc, Tohi Smith-Milner grabbed 14 points and Taine Murray rattled off nine points to go with his six rebounds.
The other semifinal will be between Jordan and Lebanon.