Horvath In Games Mix
Tagged in: In The News, NBL, Tall Blacks
Toby Robson, Dominion Post
Nick Horvath is finally a New Zealand citizen - handing the Tall Blacks a 2.09m boost ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament in July in Athens.
The big American centre’s paperwork came through last Friday afternoon, ending a year-long process for the 27-year-old who recently married Palmerston North-based partner Sheree Phillips and plans to settle in New Zealand.
Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic welcomed the news yesterday, but cautioned there was no selection guarantees for Horvath with only one place in the national team for a naturalised player.
“It’s good news to have a player of Nick’s calibre in the mix, but unfortunately he is naturalised, so he and Casey Frank at the moment are fighting for one spot.
“It would be great to have them both because they are both very good players, different players, so I guess it will come down to who is in better form and what the team needs.”
Strongly in Horvath’s favour are his height and age advantages over Frank.
At 2.03m, Auckland Stars forward Frank has been a strong performer for the Tall Blacks since 2005, but not the sort of centre New Zealand yearns for at international level.
Frank has averaged 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 50 appearances for New Zealand, but at 30-years-old may not fit the bill as Vucinic looks to establish a new era.
“The bottom line is, last year we picked our 12 best players to represent New Zealand, but I would say this year we will invest in the future and get some younger guys in there.”
The Tall Blacks will be missing veterans such as Mark Dickel, Paul Henare and Dillon Boucher who have stepped aside.
A player with Horvath’s physique and resume has been missing since NBA player Sean Marks called time on his international career last year and Horvath is widely seen as the man to fill the void.
“It’s going to be a very difficult call,” Vucinic said.
“I know both guys will understand if they miss out and will naturally be disappointed, but only one can make it.”
A final call won’t be made till late June when the Tall Blacks squad assembles before heading to Europe.
Horvath’s new status is also a potentially huge boost for Wellington Saints, for whom he has played for as an import since arriving in New Zealand in May 2006.
Should he return as a local player later in the season Wellington would effectively have three import-quality players with Americans Kevin Owens and Ernest Scott already signed up.
Saints owner Nick Mills said Horvath’s citizenship was a coup for the sport in New Zealand.
“I think it’s wonderful for the sport in this country having a guy of that profile and stature being able to play for the Olympic team.
“He’s been coached by the best coaches in the world, he’s played in world championships at age grade level for America.
“To have someone like that is fantastic, a dream come true.”
