Basketball: Henare named Tall Blacks coach

Paul Henare has been named as the new head coach of the Tall Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Breakers legend Paul Henare has been named as the new Tall Blacks head coach.

The former Tall Black player and current Breakers assistant coach will take over the reins as the New Zealand side looks to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Pero Cameron will remain in his current role as Tall Blacks assistant coach.

Henare said the appointment was a huge honour.

"I am humbled and incredibly proud to have been named head coach of our national team," he said. "[I] will bring the same desire, passion and commitment to the role that I have brought throughout my playing career and more latterly, my coaching career in both the New Zealand and Australian leagues.

"These are exciting times for the game in this country. We have a core group of experienced players who have tasted success at club and international level.

"The challenge is to blend that group with the exciting next generation of talent that is emerging. It must be our goal to not only qualify for and compete at the Olympic Games, but to challenge for a medal in 2016. I believe that with hard work, good planning and our best talent being available that we can achieve great things."

Henare won the role ahead of Cameron, who had also applied. Both have acted as assistants to outgoing boss Nenad Vucinic. Despite losing out to his former Tall Blacks teammate, Cameron said there were no hard feelings between them.

"Of course I was disappointed not to get the job - I wouldn't be human if I wasn't," said Cameron. "But I am ready to throw my support completely behind Paul and congratulate him on securing the head coaching role.

"I was humbled when asked to work with Paul and look forward to helping deliver more great results for our sport and our nation on the international stage."

Meanwhile, Kennedy Kereama has been reappointed as the head coach of the women's Tall Ferns side.