HoopNation entry deadline extended

Tall Black Lindsay Tait swept the NBL Awards this season, and will be a part of HoopNation next month. Photo / FILE

After a deluge of last-minute entries the organisers of Wanganui's third annual moneyed basketball tournament HoopNation have extended registration for a another week.

And the confirmed lineups for the feature Men's Premier division contain some big names from the national scene.

Entries for the tournament were originally meant to close on September 8, but the deadline has now been moved to September 20 with numbers up on last year, as hoped.

The 2012 edition had 20 teams and co-organiser Paul Berridge had said in June they wanted more than 30 this time.

He and co-organiser KJ Allen went on a tour of the NBL games around the North Island to approach players and teams to drum up support, given they wanted the Men's Premier division to be exclusive to individuals from the NBL level or higher.

After an initially slow response, Berridge said they now have 27 teams, including seven in Premier, while the Men's A grade is full.

"On the eighth there was an influx of teams which was rewarding in a way."

Extending the deadline to September 20 was the longest they could stretch to still allow the clothing company they have contracted enough time to create the individual team uniforms.

"That's given us breathing space because we've had teams on the fringes."

The biggest portion of the entrants have come from Auckland and Wellington.

Waitakere have put in a team with Tall Black and Breaker Jack Salt a possibility for their lineup.

Defending champions Rack City are back and while Paul Henare is unavailable for his Hawke's Bay team due to his assistant coaching role with the Breakers, Tall Blacks legend Phill Jones will be there.

With the Palmerston North team will be Sid Adams, older brother of NBA player Steve Adams who made history when he was picked up in the 2013 Draft by Oklahoma.

Sid Adams was a former NBA draftee candidate himself.

Also attending is Wellington Saint Lindsay Tait, who swept all the major player trophies for a guard at the 2013 NBL Awards, including being named league MVP.

Another coming is the 2.03 metre tall power forward Casey Franks, the former Tall Black and Breaker who is now a commentator for Sky Sport.

Adding to the notable names is HBS Bank Hawks' and Breakers Development player Dion Prewster.

Having run a coaching clinic in Wanganui in July, former Tall Black and Breaker Paora Winitana will also be in the tournament.

As well as the big names, the 2012 Men's A division winners Five Star are coming back while a team is travelling from as far as Brisbane for the Women's A grade.

HoopNation will be held at Springvale Stadium on Labour weekend, October 26-28.