KEY POINTS:
Guard Mike Fitchett, one of the heroes of Nelson's National Basketball League championship, will make his New Zealand debut in the three-test series against Venezuela this month.
Fitchett is the only uncapped player named by new coach Nenad Vucinic in the build-up to next month's Oceania Championships, the
Olympic qualifying event against Australia.
Vucinic has had 18 players in camp for the past week in Napier and yesterday reduced that squad to 14.
Those to miss out were Hayden Allen, Everard Bartlett, Ben Hill and Jeremy Kench.
Veteran point guard Mark Dickel and NBA prospect Craig Bradshaw are expected to join the group before their first outing against Venezuela, in Napier on July 20.
All 14 are expected to get a run against the South Americans.
Fitchett, who played under Vucinic in Nelson, scored 34 points in the Giants' overtime semifinal win over Waikato and was in sweet form with his outside shooting in the championship-decider against Hawke's Bay.
He gets his chance with the national team because Dickel is still battling for fitness after back surgery in February.
Harbour forward Daryl Cartwright earns a recall after four years' absence. He last donned the black singlet against the Czech Republic in 2003 but enjoyed a solid season off the bench in the Heats' regular season success and has responded well to the new Tall Blacks regime.
Auckland point guard Lindsay Tait also returns after missing last year's FIBA world championships with a broken wrist.
The emphasis at Napier has been on strength and conditioning, a programme overseen by new trainer Claire Dallison.
"It has been a tough week, not just physically, but also getting to know a new and complex system," Vucinic said. "I am pretty pleased with how they have applied themselves and it is hard to cut six good players at this stage.
"I would not be surprised if all six play for New Zealand in the future and, who knows, there are still ways for them to get a call up this year," Vucinic said. "This is also a new management team and we have also come together well over the week. Things seem to be working pretty smoothly so far."
Vucinic will trim the roster to 12 before the team leaves for the Boris Stankovic Cup tournament in China on July 26.
Tall Blacks squad:
Guards: Mark Dickel, Mike Fitchett (Nelson Giants), Paul Henare (Hawke's Bay), Phill Jones (NZ Breakers), Kirk Penney (NZ Breakers), Lindsay Tait (Auckland Stars), Paora Winitana (Hawke's Bay)
Forwards: Dillon Boucher (Auckland Stars), Craig Bradshaw (Brisbane Bullets), Pero Cameron (Waikato Pistons), Daryl Cartwright (Harbour Heat), Casey Frank (Auckland Stars), Mika Vukona (Nelson Giants)
Centre: Tony Rampton (West Sydney Razorbacks)