KEY POINTS:
Among the more striking images from New Zealand's Athens Olympics was pocket-size guard Angela Marino trying to find a way around opposing leviathans.
That she made a pretty good fist of getting past giant walls of defensive flesh is testament to Marino's ability to turn her height - or lack of it - to her advantage. And she'll be at it again when the Tall Ferns kick off their campaign at the Beijing Olympics.
Marino, closing in on a law degree at Adelaide University, is expected to be one of only two survivors from the Athens squad, along with captain Aneka Kerr when the squad is confirmed, likely to be next week after a three-day camp starting in Christchurch today.
A raft of retirements post-Athens opened doors for a younger crop of players. There is plenty of interest in how the likes of Jess McCormack, the 1.94m, 18-year-old from Hamilton, who is getting her education at the University of Washington, will cope.
Marino was the organiser in Athens and will reprise the role in Beijing. Athens opened her eyes to the possibilities of her position and the learning curve was substantial.
"It was an amazing experience," she said.
"I got to play against the best in the world and got to realise what I need to do to improve, become a better player, and for New Zealand to become a better team."
Different teams present different styles and Marino pointed to the Czech Republic with their height, and Spain - "so quick and the guards do most of the damage" - as examples of the variety of strategies needed.
Still only 22, the 1.66m guard will be a crucial figure in the Tall Ferns Olympic ambitions.
There is a line of thinking that while this squad will have greater depth than its Athens predecessors, the real benefits of work going on now will be seen in London in four years' time.
The Tall Ferns were chuffed to beat defending Olympic champions Australia for the first time at the Good Luck tournament in Beijing in April.
They gave the United States a good run as well, losing 60-78, and got a good insight into what Beijing holds on the just-completed European tour.
They faced both Spain and the Czech Republic on that trip, getting belted twice by the Czechs and going down by 19 points to Spain.
Both European heavyweights secured their Olympic spots, and in New Zealand's group, at the final qualifying event in Madrid last month. But the trip had its upsides, Marino said.
"Basketball New Zealand has done a terrific job in opening the eyes of some of the players.
"It was tough but it's good for the players who've never played the Europeans. They play a style some of our players had never seen before.
"You could see we have some way to go, but the best thing is that several of the girls are about 22 or younger and in a few years this team could be really good."
The Olympic tournament rules don't allow the two Oceania qualifiers, New Zealand and Australia, in the same group, so the Tall Ferns have known for some time that they would draw the United States.
This is old territory for Marino; New Zealand lost 47-99 to the world's powerhouse in Athens. Marino top-scored with 13 points.
This time it is their final group game on August 17.
As luck would have it, New Zealand will play the same teams in Beijing as at Athens, apart from Mali taking Korea's place.
"If you're going to the Olympics why not play the best?" Marino said of the US.
"They are phenomenal players, who are in the [world's] best competition and I look at it as being extremely lucky."
Jillian Harmon, born in New York to a New Zealand-born mother, is 21, a 1.85m forward and shaping as an integral member of the squad. She was in the Stanford Cardinals team beaten by Tennessee in the NCAA title match in April.
Marino, who will be chasing back-to-back Australian league titles with Adelaide Lightning next season, can't wait for Beijing.
She quipped that "I know I'm going to enjoy this part of my life more than later", a reference to carting round a briefcase and sitting at a desk.
"But that's okay.
"When I'm going to training and see everyone going to work I think I'm so lucky - and when I'm 30 I'll be wishing I was back training."
