Tall Blacks chasing 'Aussie' Baynes

The Aussies might have nabbed Robbie Deans, but New Zealand basketball is hoping to reverse the pipeline and snaffle one from under the noses of their trans-Tasman rivals.

Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic has named New Zealand-born Aussie Aron Baynes in his 20-strong extended squad to prepare for an eight-game tour of Europe later this month.

But it is not clear yet whether the big bruiser (2.08m, 120kg) is prepared to pitch his lot in with New Zealand.

Baynes has just finished a four-year stint with Washington State University in the US and has been on the periphery of Australian national selection over that time.

He represented Australia at the 2006 World University Games, but has failed to make it as far as any official Boomers squads.

That means he still qualifies for New Zealand as well and Basketball NZ officials are hoping that the imposing centre will jump on board with the Tall Blacks as he sees the chance for greater international opportunities.

"Although he was born in Gisborne, Aron has spent most of his life in Australia and obviously has strong ties to the green-and-gold," said BBNZ national teams general manager Grant Chapman.

"But the Boomers currently have a surplus of quality big men and we believe his international prospects are actually better with the Tall Blacks. We hope to make him feel at home if we get that chance."

Aaron's brother Callum has played in the Kiwi NBL and has tried out for New Zealand sides in the past, and it's hoped the lure of a spot in the Tall Blacks for next year's world championships in Turkey will be enough to persuade him to follow suit.

New Zealand and Australia will both compete at the world champs next year, with the trans-Tasman rivals squaring off in August to decide seedings out of the Oceania region.

Vucinic's extended squad includes three members of the Junior Tall Blacks who today conclude their campaign at the world under-19 championships in Auckland.

But it does not contain veteran sharpshooter Phill Jones who had previously indicated he would be available for the Tall Blacks again this year.

Junior Tall Blacks captain Dion Prewster, guard Brook Ruscoe and centre Rob Loe have all been given the chance to prove themselves in senior company at the three-day camp in Auckland from July 14-16.

There is certainly a youthful look to the squad which has an average age of 23 -- three years younger than 2008. As well as the three teens, it also includes young comers such as Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster and BJ Anthony, as well as new Breakers signings Jeremiah Trueman and Alex Pledger.

"These players are a mixture of some of our best, as well as some that may become the best we have," said Vucinic. "Choosing young players for the future is one of the hardest jobs as we can never know how determined and prepared they are to achieve their potential.

"The fact we will have very inexperienced players competing against strong international teams cannot be an excuse. We must continue to enter every game with a determination to give our best and beat any opposition.

"It makes things more challenging for us, but the Tall Blacks always look forward to challenges."

The squad enters camp at the North Shore's Millennium Institute and NZ Breakers facility on July 14 and on July 16 a team of 12 will be named for the European trip that begins in Estonia on July 22.

New Zealand Tall Blacks extended squad: Tom Abercrombie (Waikato Pistons), BJ Anthony (Harbour Heat), Aron Baynes (Washington State University), Craig Bradshaw (Grupo Begar Leon), Pero Cameron (Waikato Pistons), Chris Daniel (Bay Hawks), Mike Fitchett (Waikato Pistons), Casey Frank (Auckland Stars), Leon Henry (Wellington Saints), Darryl Jones (Nelson Giants), Jarrod Kenny (Bay Hawks), Rob Loe (North Harbour), Kirk Penney (NZ Breakers), Alex Pledger (Waikato Pistons), Dion Prewster (San Jacinto College), Brook Ruscoe (Porirua), Lindsay Tait (Wellington Saints), Jeremiah Trueman (NZ Breakers), Mika Vukona (Gold Coast Blaze), Corey Webster (Harbour Heat).

- © Fairfax NZ News