Basketball New Zealand

Pero Cameron (Photosport)

Sam Worthington, Dominion Post
Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic is leaving a seat on the world championship plane open for Pero Cameron despite the legendary forward failing to take the court in the National Basketball League.

Wellington coach Cameron had hoped to pull on a Saints singlet this season but has been plagued by a serious foot injury that has restricted him to holding a clipboard.

Vucinic said there had been no ultimatum given to Cameron (35), who is arguably New Zealand’s finest basketballer.

“Pero has been unable to play for quite a while now, but we are all hoping that he will have time to get ready for the world championship as he is still a very important part for us,” Vucinic told The Dominion Post from Turkey, where he is coaching club team Darussafaka.

“His form in the NBL is not as important as is his injury status in terms of selection. We all know what Pero can do on a basketball court. If he is healthy we will have enough time to get him ready.”

Asked if he would consider using Cameron as an assistant coach if he was unable to get fit for the championships, which start in Turkey on August 28, Vucinic said he still regarded him an international player, rather than a coach.

Vucinic said he was keeping an open mind on selection, with veteran point guards Paul Henare (retired) and Mark Dickel (surgery) the only players ruled out.

Vucinic is enjoying life in Istanbul and will not return to New Zealand until July. In his absence, assistant coaches Chris Tupu (Nelson coach) and Dillon Boucher (Harbour forward) are keeping an eye on the form of NBL contenders, while he was also awaiting video footage.

Vucinic plans to hold trials before selecting his squad.

“As much as the current form in NBL is important to get the chance for the trial, the important part of selection criteria are past performances in internationals as well as the suitability and ability of players to perform on a much higher level than NBL.”

Vucinic said he had been working overtime behind the scenes to ensure New Zealand were competitive in Turkey, and Basketball New Zealand has almost finalised a buildup schedule.

“It will not be as long a preparation as we would have hoped, but with limited resources I think our schedule will be good.”

The Tall Blacks will be based in the coastal city of Izmir and have been drawn in a pool with defending champions Spain, boasting Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol and teenage sensation Ricky Rubio, plus France, Lithuania, Canada and Lebanon.

“We have a tough section with some world powers in it, but all the sections are tough,” Vucinic said.

“The only thing we know for sure is we will play every game believing we can win it. And this has always been our way.”

Meanwhile, the Saints are pondering adding former Manawatu Jets import Marcel Jones as a temporary replacement for injured American Eric Devendorf.

Jones, who is in New Zealand on holiday, trained with the Saints last night as Cameron weighs up his options ahead of Saturday’s home game against the league-leading Waikato Pistons. Jones was the league’s second highest scorer last season with 27.3 points per game.