Historic Tall Blacks Side Honoured

Basketball New Zealand has honoured one of the country’s most successful basketball teams ever, and has inducted the 2002 FIBA World Cup squad into the organisation's Hall of Fame.

The Tall Blacks side of 2002 shocked the world to earn a fourth place finish at the World Cup, and finished the tournament ahead of powerhouses Spain, the United States and Brazil.

Former Gold Coast Blaze and New Zealand Breaker Pero Cameron was the sole non-NBA representative in the competition’s team of the tournament, and was named alongside Manu Ginobli, Peja Stojakovic, Yao Ming and MVP Dirk Nowitzki in the side.

The Tall Blacks defeated Venezuela and Russia in the group stage to finish second behind Argentina, before defeating China to make it to the quarter-finals.

Future New Zealand Breaker and Cairns Taipans player Phill Jones (21 points) led the side to a two-point win over Puerto Rico in the quarter finals, but the side fell to eventual champions Yugoslavia in the semi-finals.

Future NBA MVP Nowitzki scored 29 points to lead the Germans to victory over the Tall Blacks in the bronze medal game.

Former New Zealand Breaker Isaac Fotu was also honoured during the awards night, and was named New Zealand’s Player of the Year.