Basketball: Star recruits have Northland links

New Milestone Homes Northland Sun's recruits BJ Anthony and Raymond Cameron are proud of their Northland connections, which have attracted them to play for the province's top team in this year's Intercity league.

Anthony's father Benny Senior played for the Northland Suns in the mid 90s when the Suns were part of the top flight NBL competition.

Raymond Cameron was raised in Portland, where his family still resides. His mother Mata helped at the Suns when it started up while his older brother Pero is one of Whangarei Boys High School's better known alumni after his long career with the Tall Blacks.

Long time Northland representative, Carmen Hetaraka, who played with Benny Anthony Senior back in the 1990s, now plays with young BJ Anthony in the current Sun's team.

"Benny remembers his time in the North supporting his dad back then, that was a big reason why he asked me if he could play for the Suns this year," he said.

"Raymond is also following in the footsteps of his older brother Pero who played in Northland, its great to have these boys share their skills and experience with the team," the team's veteran said.

BJ Anthony has played professionally for Waikato and the NZ Breakers, as well as for the Tall Blacks. Raymond has also played professionally for the Waikato and other provincial teams.

The team is confident that it now has the right mix to compete in this year's Intercity Competition.

After two opening losses, they won their first match last weekend against Auckland.

The Suns play the Auckland Rivets tomorrow at the North Shore YMCA, 2pm.