Basketball: Tall Blacks' build-up complete

The Tall Blacks' build-up programme for August's World Basketball Champs in Japan is complete

A tour to South America and a further home series against Qatar has been confirmed.

The Tall Blacks will play four games in Brazil against their hosts in late July, followed by a four-nation tournament in Argentina against the hosts, Brazil and Venezuela.

Before leaving for Japan they will play Qatar in Dunedin and Invercargill in early August.

Tab Baldwin's side will play 14 warm-up games before the World Champs, twice as many as before the 2002 tournament.

A training squad will be announced this afternoon - Sean Marks will be named, even though he is still not keen to come out of retirement.

Tall Blacks Assistant coach Nenad Vucinic is ecstatic with the buildup schedule. He says playing Argentina will be brilliant preparation.

Vucinic says they are still hoping to lure NBA player Sean Marks out of retirement for the World Championships.

- NEWSTALK ZB