KEY POINTS:
Five new caps, including 16-year-old Harbour centre Rebecca Dew, have been included in the Tall Ferns basketball team to play in Japan this month.
As the Kiwi women begin their build-up towards the Beijing Olympics, the touring squad contains just one survivor from Athens in 2004 -- pint-sized point guard Angela Marino.
Veteran forwards Donna Wilkins (netball) and Aneka Kerr (injury) were unavailable for selection.
Coach Mike McHugh said the absences of Wilkins and Kerr provided a valuable opportunity to blood younger players.
"We're looking at this as a development opportunity with a view to our China trip in June," he said.
"We need to see how some of the younger players fare at international level and the best way is to throw them in the deep end."
The water will be deepest for Dew (1.90m), who was uncovered as a national team prospect year.
Born in Florida to American parents, she has gained New Zealand citizenship, so can play as a fully fledged Kiwi.
"Like Jess McCormack in 2005, Rebecca is a player of the future," McHugh said. "I want to see how she handles herself at that level."
Harbour centre Karlene Kingi will also get a chance after impressive performances in the women's basketball league and at last month's national camp in Christchurch.
Otago guard Suzie Bates will become a double international, having already represented New Zealand in cricket, while Natalie Purcell and Aroha Jennings join the roster after furthering their careers in the United States college system.
Purcell finished at Southeast Missouri State University in 2006, while Jennings was named offensive MVP for University of Memphis last season and will return to the Tigers later this year.
The full squad for Japan is:
Suzie Bates (Otago), Micaela Cocks (University of Oregon, US), Rebecca Dew (Harbour), Aroha Jennings (University of Memphis, US), Karlene Kingi (Harbour), Angela Marino (Perth Lynx, Australia), Jess McCormack (Auckland), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Bulleen Boomers, Australia), Charmian Purcell (Harbour), Natalie Purcell, Lisa Wallbutton (Auckland), Noni Wharemate (Harbour).
- NZPA
