Making The Most
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad, Tall Blacks
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Kiwi centre Sean Marks continues to push for a regular spot in the Phoenix Suns rotation with three strong performances in the NBA pre-season.
In the Sunsí first outing – a 110-99 win over Sacramento Kings – the former Tall Black logged 21 minutes off the bench for 13 points (4/7 FG, 1/1 3pt, 4/4 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist.
In a 106-111 loss to New Orleans Hornets, Marks produced 14 points (6/11 FG, 2/2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in 27 minutes.
Most recently, he compiled 11 points (5/10 FG, 1/2 FT), five rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist in a 124-101 victory over Utah Jazz.
Phoenix traded veteran centre Kurt Thomas to Seattle during the off-season, potentially moving Marks (32) up their depth chart to back up spot behind starter Amare Stoudemire. With Stoudemire injured, the Suns have started versatile Frenchman Boris Diaw in the middle.
Meanwhile, Tall Black point guard Mark Dickel has gotten off to a winning start with German champions Brose Baskets Bamberg, but is battling for court time off the bench.
Bamberg are 2-0 after defeating Paderborn Baskets 83-60. Dickel logged 15 minutes for three points (1/4 FG, 1/3 3pt), two assists, a steal and a rebound, but starting point guard Steffen Hamann dished nine assists.
In Icelandís Division One – the level below the premier Express League – coach Jeff Green got his Hottur club off on the right foot with an 84-64 win over newly promoted Prottur.
Playing at home, Hottur scored the first seven points of the game, but trailed by two at halftime. Green reportedly berated his players during the break and they came out breathing fire, eventually overrunning their opponents 30-11 in the fourth period.
Former Tall Black Ben Hill emerged as the dominant individual with 18 points (7/20 FG, 2/10 3pt, 2/2 FT), 22 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist, while Emerging Tall Blacks captain Everard Bartlett had 19 points (7/19 FG, 1/5 3pt, 4/7 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and a block.
