Basketball: Bradshaw and Reay named to Tall Blacks squad

1.00pm

Craig Bradshaw and Chris Reay have taken the next step towards Olympic selection after being named in the Tall Blacks basketball squad to meet Australia this week.

The US University students were among the 15 players named today by coach Tab Baldwin after a 25-man squad spent four days in Whangarei.

Both stand 2.05m and give the national men's team sudden depth in size that they haven't enjoyed previously.

"We have more quality size than we've ever had with the prospect of bringing Sean Marks in down the track," Baldwin said.

"With Tony Rampton, Ed Book and Pero Cameron still getting fitter and healthier, we could be blessed with size, something that has previously been an Achilles heel in New Zealand basketball."

Bradshaw was one of the stars of last night's Probables v Possibles trial at Kensington Stadium, sharing a game-high 17 points with veterans Book and Phill Jones as their Probables prevailed 86-72.

"These two young guys have been real surprise packages with great camps," Baldwin said.

"Both had outstanding trial games.

"Craig has been the find of the camp, but he still has a lot to learn and we'll see how he goes with international experience. Chris has really impressed us with his tremendous desire and work rate, even on a bad ankle."

Saints sharpshooter Troy McLean also gets his first chance in the national team after two impressive seasons in the National Basketball League.

He hit three three-pointers at key times in the trial to keep the Possibles in the hunt.

"I feel the inclusions of Troy and Lindsay Tait to the guardline bring more good shooters in ... you can never have enough good shooters."

The squad will spend two more days in Whangarei before travelling to Hamilton for the series opener against the Boomers on Friday.

The two remaining tests are played in Christchurch on Saturday and Invercargill on Sunday.

New Zealand squad: Ed Book (centre) Nelson Giants, Craig Bradshaw (forward) Winthrop University, Dillon Boucher (forward) Auckland Stars, Pero Cameron forward) Waikato Titans, Mark Dickel (guard) Fenerbahce, Paul Henare (guard) Hawke's Bay Hawks, Mike Homik (forward) Auckland Stars, Phill Jones (guard) Nelson Giants, Troy McLean (guard) Wellington Saints, Aaron Olson (guard) Auckland Stars, Brendon Polyblank (forward) Wellington Saints, Tony Rampton (centre) Cairns Taipans,

Chris Reay (forward) Southern Methodist University, Lindsay Tait (guard) Auckland Stars, Paora Winitana (guard) Hawke's Bay Hawks.

- NZPA