JTBs returning to Germany in 2010

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The Junior Tall Blacks will make their second appearance at the prestigious Albert Schweitzer basketball tournament in Germany as part of their preparation for next year's under-19 Oceania championship.

Some of the world's best basketball nations, including eight of the top 10 from this year's under-19 world championship in Auckland, will field teams at the event in Mannheim from April 3-10.

New Zealand first attended the tournament last year, recording their only win against Israel and finishing 14th of 16 teams.

But the experience of playing teams like Spain, Argentina, Croatia, France and Russia served them well at the world championship.

After losing by 17 and 28 points respectively at the Schweitzer 15 months earlier, the Junior Tall Blacks came within a basket of upsetting Argentina in their world championship pool opener and fell eight points short of victory over eventual bronze medalists Croatia.

None of this year's team will return, but the class of 2010, coached by Porirua's Deslea Wrathall, will include players from the 2009 New Zealand under-18 programme.