KEY POINTS:
Kenny McFadden has been re-appointed Junior Tall Black head coach for next year's world under-19 basketball championship in Auckland from July 2-12.
McFadden has coached the national age group team for the past two years, guiding them through this year's Albert Schweitzer tournament in Germany followed by the Oceania championship against Australia.
Under McFadden, the Junior Tall Blacks have won just one game - against Israel 68-54 in March - and lost eight, indicating the tough task he faces in developing his side.
"We have a good chance of making the quarters if we come with our best team and the players are well prepared," Wellington-based McFadden said yesterday.
McFadden will have help from New Zealand Breakers assistant coach Judd Flavell, Nelson Giants assistant coach Jozsef Molnar and manager Debbie Webb, of Wellington.
Basketball NZ has opted away from a residential programme to prepare the Junior Tall Blacks after trialling an Auckland-based model at the Breakers' facility this year.
Instead, players will be based in Auckland, Wellington or Nelson from February to May, then switch to a residential format for the final stages of their preparation. The official draw for the world championship will be held on February 28 at Auckland.
JUNIOR SQUAD
Matt Aird (Porirua), Jake Ashby (Porirua), Duane Bailey (Waitakere), David Beck (Wellington), Josh Bloxham (Nelson), Riki Buckrell (Hutt Valley), Sam Butler (North Harbour), Tom du Chatenier (Wellington), Adam Dunstan (Western Bay of Plenty), Justin Edwards (USA), Poutu Edwards (Waikato), Tipene Friday (Porirua), Logan Funnell (Palmerston North), Matt Graham (North Harbour), Daniel Green (Porirua), Dylan Harrison (Counties
Manukau), James Holland (USA), Sam King (Otago), Micah Lepaio (Wellington), Winston Li (Wellington), Rob Loe (North Harbour), Morgan Nathan (Otago), Hemi Pairama (Wellington), Dion Prewster (USA), Adam Rainbird (Nelson), Tom Rowe (Otago), Ethan Rusbatch (Canterbury), Brook Ruscoe (Porirua), Te Puao Silver (Australia), Logan van Beck (Canterbury) and Thomas Webb (Wellington).
- NZPA
