Basketball: Tab Baldwin sticks with the Tall Blacks that he knows

Aaron Olson's broken toe puts his NBL semifinal appearance tomorrow night in doubt. Picture / Greg Bowker

The Tall Blacks' first camp of the year went well in Auckland this week, apart from Aaron Olson breaking a bone in his big toe, an injury that puts him in doubt for tomorrow night's NBL semifinal.

Coach Tab Baldwin was pleased with the effort and input from players, with new depth emerging in the likes of Brett Charleton from Canada.

But with just six training session between now and departure for China on July 14 for a tournament that includes Lithuania and Brazil, Baldwin was happier to go with what he knew.

"We were a bit reluctant to go too far outside those players we know, and that we know, know us," Baldwin said.

The camp was about teaching the new boys the team system and culture so they would be ready to come in in future, when they would get a greater chance to showcase their talent.

Nelson forward Mika Vukona, who recently signed with the Breakers, and Auckland captain Casey Frank, who came to the country as an import but qualifies as a resident after three years, are the two newcomers to the Tall Blacks.

Sean Marks and Mark Dickel are unavailable. Marks is with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA finals. He told Baldwin he wants to digest the outcome of the finals series, see what opportunities are available and re-evaluate his career.

Dickel is playing in Europe, where he has signed with a Russian team for the new season. He is available in August for the series with Australia.

Baldwin has re-signed with Turkish club Banvitspoor for next season. The contract is conditional on his release for Tall Black commitments, including the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March.

The Australian Boomers have a camp on the Gold Coast from tomorrow, with 12 of 19 players attending, including Nelson's Jacob Holmes, and the rest committed in Europe and the US, including hot prospect Andrew Bogut.

Olson had swelling yesterday and has been advised to wait until it settles before a decision can be made on his availability for the Stars-Hawks semifinal at Trusts Stadium tomorrow night.

Stars' coach Kenny Stone put the Hawks favourites because of their three consecutive road wins. "They don't fear coming to Auckland."

With Olson in the Tall Blacks camp were Lindsay Tait, Casey Frank, Dillon Boucher, Glen Joe and Mike Homik and he hoped those players and the team would pick up some confidence as a result.

Hawks coach Shawn Dennis said Auckland had set the benchmark this season, but agreed his team was confident after their last-round road trip, especially having beaten playoff contenders the Giants in Nelson after toughing out an overtime win in Wellington the night before.

"It's going to be a cracker of a game. Auckland will be physical. Both teams are playing well but I believe the pressure is on them as defending champions."

Stone believes the week off earned by the winner of the major semi as a disadvantage. "I'd rather play. But at least you go to the final and avoid the knockout game."

Juniors fifth Basketball New Zealand player development manager Gordy McLeod returned from last week's San Diego International Invitational Tournament encouraged by the Junior Tall Blacks' fifth placing.

The Kiwis, coached by former NBL legend Tony Webster, were well beaten by Russia (78-59) and US Blue (118-57) in their opening two games, but regrouped to record wins over China (77-59) and Canada (52-50).

"The pleasing thing was they got better as the week went on," said McLeod, who coached Australia to the 1995 world junior championship final.