Basketball: Marks preparing for Toronto slam dunk

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WELLINGTON - Sean Marks' basketball career could be on the rebound out of Toronto after a frustrating stint with the Canadian-based NBA team.

The first New Zealander to break into the NBA when he was picked up by the Raptors via the New York Knicks for the 1998-99 season, Marks has been rarely utilised since his arrival.

The 2.08m Tall Black forward got court time in only eight games in his debut season and has played in only five of the Raptors' 40 matches so far in 1999-2000.

He is averaging only two minutes 40 seconds per appearance this season, scoring eight points so far.

Marks, aware the player trading deadline expires in a month, said he may not be at Toronto long-term.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure I'll finish up this season in Toronto, I plan on that but in this line of work you can be traded at the drop of a hat," he said.

Although his preference wasn't necessarily for a move, Marks was becoming desperate for more court time and admitted those ambitions are being stifled with the Raptors, who are well served with aerial firepower.

Marks, 25, said if he didn't get more court time he would spend the summer in camps hoping to impress other clubs.

"I'll have to work out with various teams and hopefully I can get another contract."

However, he was wary of moving to another Toronto scenario "where there are a lot of big guys that play my position."

"I'd rather go somewhere where there is a need for me, where they need big guys."

Marks, who played in Italy before making the cut-throat NBA, said a return to Europe was also a possibility if he couldn't make more of an impact.

- NZPA