Tall Blacks stay the distance

said.

Tupu retired after the Olympics but was involved in television commentary, albeit from studios in Auckland, and said the reaction to New Zealand's success was phenomenal. He recalled being stopped on the street several times after the win over China by people who wanted to talk about it.

There had always been a base of support for basketball as witnessed during the heydays of the National Basketball League and it thrilled Tupu that eight years after those world championships where New Zealand, unbelievably, finished ahead of the United States, the fruits of that initial investment were being seen.

It had been helped by the success of the Breakers in the Australian League and the internet had opened up the communication channels for people to maintain an interest in leagues and competitions all around the world. Career paths had also emerged for players and coaches.

"And we're good at it. New Zealanders can play basketball very well," Tupu said. "They like the physicality of it and we've got some very skilled players and we can compete internationally."

New Zealand's benefit as a basketball-playing nation was the odd shapes and sizes of their players.

"We don't have masses of seven-footers running round, we're a little bit unorthodox in that regard."

Tupu cited Mika Vukona, a short player by international standards as a forward but he was competitive and able to do things that taller players couldn't do. The side also had skilled players with very good shooters.

New Zealand's draw at the World Championships is:
August 28 v Lithuania
August 29 v Spain
August 31 v Lebanon
Sept. 1 v Canada
Sept. 2 v France