Basketball: US-based pair in Tall Black squad

United States-based players Sean Marks and Kirk Penney have been named in the Tall Black squad for next month's test series against Hungary, although only Penney is assured of taking the court.

New Zealand coach Tab Baldwin named the two in a 15-man squad for his side's last series before he selects a team for the world championships in August.

Penney's presence will create a healthy dilemma for Baldwin, who already has outstanding Phill Jones in the shooting guard position.

"Kirk is a great shooter and a proven scorer at a very high level," Baldwin said.

"The big question will be whether he can defend bigger people so we can play him at the small forward position.

"For offensive purposes, we would love to play Phill and Kirk together as much as possible, but we need to be able to do that defensively as well."

Marks, New Zealand's National Basketball Association pioneer in the United States, is recovering from a finger injury and is less likely to play, but Baldwin is keen to have him involved in the programme as early as possible as the coach continues to implement systems for the world championships.

Marks last played under Baldwin as a junior in 1993.

The squad against Hungary also feature four American-born players - Ed Book, Willie Burton, Terrence Lewis and Kenny Stone - who are competing for the one spot for a naturalised player available at the world championships in Indianapolis.

"Ed and Terrence did a great job in China, Willie is still the incumbent and Kenny is perhaps the form player in the NBL right now," Baldwin said.

"This should be a really titanic struggle but at the end of the day, this selection may be dictated by injuries or availability."

Captain Pero Cameron, who is hampered by a torn calf muscle, has been selected subject to fitness, and Book is suffering from the same injury.

Centre Tony Rampton, the only missing piece in Baldwin's selection puzzle, has elected to stay in Cairns as part of a rehabilitation programme on an ankle complaint and he will miss the Hungarian series altogether.

Little is known about the Hungarians, who are probably best described as second-tier performers on the competitive European basketball scene.

Baldwin expects a physical test, but admits he still has some homework to do on his opponents.

The tests will be on Auckland's North Shore on July 5, in Palmerston North on July 6, New Plymouth on July 8, Nelson on July 10 and Christchurch on July 12.

Tall Blacks squad: Mark Dickel (Wellington), Judd Flavell (Nelson), Kirk Penney (University of Wisconsin), Paul Henare (Hawkes Bay), Phill Jones (Nelson), Paora Winitana (North Harbour), Dillon Boucher (Waikato), Pero Cameron (Waikato), Sean Marks (Miami Heat), Damon Rampton (Nelson), Robert Hickey (Hawkes Bay), Ed Book (Nelson), Willie Burton (Hawkes Bay), Terrence Lewis (Canterbury), Kenny Stone (Auckland).

- NZPA