Basketball: Stars align for HoopNation

HoopNation organiser Paul Berridge, spinning the ball, with fellow organiser KJ Allen, left, and their family members wearing all the new brand gear ahead of the start of the 2014 tournament, October 25-27. PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER

Another strong lineup of players, including at least three members of the Tall Blacks' Fiba World Cup team, will be hitting the hard wood at Springvale Stadium next month as the entries roll in for HoopNation.

Wanganui's three-day moneyed basketball tournament has so far attracted over 30 teams for the four divisions ahead of the late-entry closing date on September 15.

Organisers Paul Berridge and KJ Allen had set the lofty goal of attracting upwards of 40 entries and the numbers continue to trend upwards for each tournament from the 16 teams which took part in the inaugural event three years ago.

"Ever since we've started in 2011, we've grown," said Berridge.

Having travelled to NBL games and other big events to promote the HoopNation brand, he said they have now got their name out there to the point where both the county's leading professionals and "competitive social" players will factor taking part into their end-of-season plans.

Basketball New Zealand officially endorsed the tournament last year this year the full Junior Tall Blacks squad take part as buildup for their World Championships later this year, guided by NZ Breakers assistant coach Judd Flavell.

The Auckland Under 23 representative team will also be in the Pakaitore-Whanganui Men's Premier competition, which as of yesterday still had three spots open.

There will be no restriction on the number of NBL-calibre or NZ Breakers players per Premier team, with Tall Blacks Lindsay Tait, Jarrod Kenny and Casey Frank confirmed for Wanganui as they make their way home from Spain.

The New Zealanders were eliminated in the Top 16 of the World Cup after a narrow 76-71 loss to Lithuania in Barcelona yesterday, but showed a lot of heart and got worldwide news coverage with their rousing haka to Team USA earlier in the tournament.

The next tier of HoopNation is the Men's A Division, which is now fully booked up, and the Women's A and Mixed grades.

Squads such as 2013 Men's A champions Whanganui OBC are back for more, as is Wellington 5-Star, while there will be men's and women's teams from the New Zealand Defence Force.

Berridge said at this stage the prizemoney on offer will likely be similar to last year - $3000 for the Premier winner, $2500 for Men's A - depending on final numbers.

One of the reasons for the success is that unlike other grassroots basketball festivals, where teams might have to do extra duties such as refereeing and helping out, HoopNation is unique because it caters for everything.

The call went out on social media in August for volunteers, while Berridge and Allen work diligently to bring sponsors on board, allowing players to have access to extras such as free strapping and hydrotherapy sessions during the tournament.

"For them, the whole focus is playing and enjoying the experience," Berridge said.

The after-parties on the Saturday and Sunday evenings at Stellar Restaurant & Bar are also a big hit, with hip-hop artist King Kapisi and musician James Brooks confirmed as this year's performers.

"The players come to Wanganui and they just love to be here," Allen said.

"The pace of it, the look of it. It showcases the city."

HoopNation 2014 will be held on Saturday, October 25 to Monday, October 27 at Springvale Stadium, with most teams arriving in town on Friday, October 24.