Basketball New Zealand

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Former NZ Tall Black Sean Marks (Photosport)

Kiwi NBA performer Sean Marks has made himself unavailable for the NZ Tall Blacks’ showdown against Australia in August for a spot at next year’s Beijing Olympics.

New Tall Black coach Nenad Vucinic visited the United States earlier this year in an effort to lure Marks, currently on the Phoenix Suns roster, out of international retirement. He returned hopeful of having his former NZ team-mate back in black for the FIBA Oceania qualifying series.

But Marks has informed Basketball New Zealand that he will play no part in the programme this year.

“I really do appreciate the opportunity to play again for the Tall Blacks, however I am going to remain retired from international basketball,” he says.

“It was by no means an easy decision, especially after the effort Nenad made. My decision is still based on the time needed to spend with family in my short off season.

“I can see that the team is definitely heading in the right direction with bright new talent such as Craig Bradshaw and with a coach as committed as Nenad.”

Vucinic is disappointed, but philosophical.

“We were looking forward to having Sean back in the team, but it’s his decision … that’s how it is.

“We will still be a very competitive team with the players we have.”

The Tall Black programme began over Easter Weekend with Vucinic holding the first of three regional trials in Auckland.