Up and comers: Thomas Abercrombie, Basketball

The Herald looks at a group of young up-and-comers who could make a lasting impact this year. By PETER JESSUP


When the New Zealand secondary schools basketball team to play a three-test series was first named, Thomas Abercrombie's name was not in the lineup.

The Westlake Boys High School fifth-former was called up late as a replacement for Ramana Graham, but by the third test had forced his way into the starting five.

After losing the first two games, New Zealand won the third 94-79.

"He [Abercrombie] wasn't just our 'most improved'," said coach Colin Driscoll. "By the end he was our star player. And he wasn't supposed to be there at his age - he's got two more years left in this team."

Driscoll, who also coaches the North Harbour Kings, was with the secondary schools team at Westlake for practice. Graham had just gone out injured.

The coach was considering several other players, but the kid practising with his school team at the other end of the gym impressed him so much that he invited him in.

"I'd had Thomas before in age-group teams but, boy, he's improved. He's smart, he is very good naturally and he's been encouraged by his success to work on."

Abercrombie scored 17 points in the third test. He has since been "carded" by Basketball New Zealand.

That means he has been brought into the elite training programme conducted for the Academy of Sport at AUT by Theo Tait, who works with the Auckland All Stars.

His progress will be monitored by national coaches, including the Tall Blacks' Tab Baldwin.

Abercrombie, always tall, has played the game since he was seven. He is now 193cm, a big point guard for a schoolboy.

Westlake Boys, which boasts Kirk Penney as an old boy, has fashioned a decent record in national tournaments in recent years: second in 2002 and fifth last year after some player changes. It's one of Abercrombie's goals to help the school to a victory.

Then comes a pro career. He's quite determined on that.

"This is all new to me," the 16-year-old said of the three training sessions a week, weights and other gym work. "But it's very exciting. I don't mind the work at all.

"My goal is overseas - I want to prove myself in Australia or Europe, hopefully."

His mother, Judy, played socially and has been involved in the North Harbour organisation. Brother Hayden, 18, played for Takapuna Grammar and sister Nicola, 13, plays at Diocesan. Only dad Colin is not directly involved in the game.

But for Abercrombie, also a member of Westlake's volleyball team in the national finals, there are still school and exams.