Basketball: Olson joins Tall Blacks injury list

1.00pm

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - New Zealand shooting guard Aaron Olson survived a scare today after spraining his right thumb in the basketball team's morning training session.

A pre-cautionary x-ray revealed that the bone at the tip of the thumb, was undamaged and it was a tendon concern.

Tall Blacks physiotherapist David Harris said that he wanted to take Olson for the check-up to ensure that the bone wasn't chipped or that it had not sustained a small breakage.

Olson, who has made an impression since his debut in the international team last year, fell hard during the morning training and may sit out the second training session this evening.

With four players on the injured list, news of Olson's fitness would have brought a sigh of relief to the team management.

Travelling reserve Brendon Polyblank's foot injury forced him to miss practice and he also took a minimal role in the New Zealand's 85-110 loss to Puerto Rico in yesterday's second match.

Ed Book and Pero Cameron were both on the sidelines at training for the second consecutive day, resting knee and calf complaints.

Tony Rampton is not expected to be ready to play until the Tall Blacks travel to Bulgaria, meaning he will miss two the international matches with Turkey.

Sean Marks could become available in the next few days and take part in the match with Team USA on Friday morning (Saturday NZ time) after talks with his NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs, appear to be nearing completion.

- NZPA