Back In Black
Tagged in: Tall Blacks
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It was touch and go whether Daryl Cartwright trialed for the Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks at all, but the gamble will pay off tomorrow when he suits up for the national team against Venezuela in Napier.
Cartwright last played for the Tall Blacks in 2003 against the Czech Republic and after four years in the wilderness, the rangy 2m forward had virtually given up on ever returning to international basketball.
ìRealistically, it wasnít in my plans,î he says. ìIt was a bit of a decision to come to camp at all.
ìI now work fulltime [as a teacher], I have a young family and time management is more difficult than it used to be. My training is now only geared towards playing in the national league.
ìFour years is a long time Ö I thought that was me.î
But a solid season for national league pacesetters Harbour Heat promoted his cause and new Tall Black coach Nenad Vucinic rewarded Cartwrightís perseverance by naming him in the squad of 14 for the Venezuelan series.
ìThe last couple of years, Iíve just enjoyed playing without the pressure. I havenít been out there playing for selection, Iíve just had fun and played better as a result.î
Half the current group were also around for that series against the Czechs and Cartwright has had every reason to feel at ease with his surroundings for the past three weeks.
ìTheyíre pretty much the same guys,î he observes. ìItís the same culture, although things are a little different under Nenad with his systems and his style.
ìThe way we train is pretty much the same Ö the same intensity, the same level.
ìIíd like to think weíre also four years smarter in how we play. None of us bounce back like we used to, but the guys play to their strengths and know the game a bit better.î
With regular starters Mark Dickel and Craig Bradshaw not yet in camp, all those remaining will line up against the South Americans on Friday.
Indications are that Bradshaw will return from his NBA summer league campaign in time for the second outing in Wellington on Sunday. His return means Cartwright must make the most of his opportunities, especially in the series opener, if he is to retain a spot when the squad is trimmed for next monthís FIBA Oceania Championships against Australia.
ìMaking the squad of 14 was tough and making the 12 will be tougher,î he concedes.
ìAll I can do is push myself, train as hard as I can and compete for one of those spots … and at least push the guys around me to give their all.î
Regardless of whether he makes it as far as the Olympic qualifying showdown, Cartwrightís return to the national squad has rekindled his ambition in basketball.
ìI was looking at maybe another couple of years in the sport, but this has given me the drive to push myself a little harder.
ìIíve enjoyed being around the guys and competing in this environment. They are a pretty special bunch of guys Ö everyone gets on well.
ìThe training has been tough physically and mentally, but that challenge has been quite enjoyable. Pulling on that black singlet again will make it all worthwhile.î
SKY Sport will carry live coverage of the Dominion Finance NZ Tall Blacks v Venezuela series. Radio Sport will feature live commentary from Game One (Friday, July 20) and Game Three (Tuesday, July 24). The BBNZ website will have live webcasts of all games.
