The Tall Blacks win over Great Britain on Sunday morning New Zealand time was notable for a number of reasons. Most obvious and most talked about was that the game was the first in charge for head coach Paul Henare and his coaching team of Pero Cameron, Ross McMains and Judd Flavell (Flavell will come into camp for the Oceania Series).
Slightly under the radar though were the debut appearances of Duane Bailey and Dion Prewster, both of whom were presented with their first Tall Black uniforms at the team meeting earlier in the day, uniforms they then wore with pride at the Copperbox as they played their parts in delivering a comprehensive win for the New Zealand side.
Both will always be able to look back fondly on their first caps, played out in front of a noisy and passionate crowd in one of London 2012’s indoor venues (hosted handball), a crowd though that in volume terms at least, was about 50/50 in regards which team they were supporting.
Both admit to having this basketball dream for many years.
“Ever since I was a young kid playing around age 11 in 2002 I have had this dream,” said Prewster. “We all know how significant that year was for New Zealand basketball and seeing that success, I wanted to be a part of that at some level, obviously you aren’t sure when it would come but you just hope it will happen.”
“Ever since I started playing basketball I wanted to represent New Zealand,” said Bailey as the team took a two hour bus ride through the heart of Croatia the day after the win over Great Britain. “I have done it at age group but to do so at the highest level is a huge dream for me. It is crazy, I was thinking about it the other day in camp and wrote on twitter, in 2011 I was a bike courier for urgent couriers and now I am playing for the Tall Blacks. Hard work really does pay off.”
Ironically both were sat side by side at the team meeting held on the afternoon of the game, a meeting that would soon have larger implications than either thought as they arrived to hear coach Paul Henare speak to the team about the night ahead. Little did they know that captain Mika Vukona would also hand out the playing singlets for that night, and in this case this meant the first ever Tall Black singlets would be in their possession.
“I didn’t know they were being handed out and then I realized we were having this ceremony and man, my hands got sweaty!” said Prewster. “It is a big thing, I pride myself on being a real proud Kiwi and receiving my first singlet in that environment with Pauli, Pero, Mika, Tom and the others there, I don’t think I have comprehended it yet, it was awesome.”
“It was pretty big, I was talking to Dion – we were sitting right next to each other. My hands were sweaty, my feet were suddenly sweaty in my jandals and I turned to Dion and said ‘are you feeling the same’ and he said yep. It was a great feeling, I feel really privileged to play for New Zealand, it is something I have always wanted to do and finally it was happening.”
Being ‘newbies’ it is understandable if there were some nerves coming into camp, but Prewster says they soon dissipated.
“Initially before the trip to Europe I was quite nervous but now with an understanding of what Pauli wants to run and working with the veterans on the team every day to talk to, it relaxes you because you know everyone’s role and job, you don’t focus on things you can’t control, you just play your part.
“The arena on the night was amazing, the environment as well with lots of Kiwis in the crowd supporting us, with some familiar faces I didn’t even know were there! I would love to have got on the scoreboard but I had an assist so made the stat sheet and it was fun to get out there and wear the black singlet and hopefully lead to bigger and better things.”
Both were quick to acknowledge those who have been crucial in their early basketball years as they now look to reward the faith and coaching expertise of the national team bosses.
“Everyone in Wellington has played a part, especially the Saints organization and Kenny McFadden – one of my Wellington Basketball Association coaches, I owe a lot to them, I couldn’t have done this without them for sure,” said Prewster.
“Being in this environment with a great coaching staff of Paul, Pero and Ross and going against the best players in the country every day is only going to elevate my game. This is perfect for me, especially in what would otherwise be my off-season.”
Bailey meanwhile remembers the sacrifices and drive of his mum in helping him get to where he is today.
“My mum is top of that list, every Saturday she used to go out and sell sausage sizzles to help me have the money to play my sport, I used to help when I could but usually I was away doing the things she was working to help me do. She has always been there for me. Ollie also (stepdad) has always been there for me and also my partner Ashley, she has been there from day one, with everything that has gone down, she has been there for the best and the worst, she has been amazing. Obviously I miss my family, it is tough but pulling on the singlet just clears your head at that moment and you get on with it.”
And what was the man known by his team mates as D’Wala – or simply Wala thinking as he was called off the bench for the first time?
“To be honest I was just thinking ‘don’t stuff this up – I want to play the next game too’. Nah, seriously for me it was do my job, bring the energy, get rebounds and shoot the ball when I am open, that is what I do and for me it was about sticking to that plan.”
And the way these two proud young men have carried themselves and made the most of their chances so far, you wouldn’t be against them being part of the Tall Blacks plans for some years to come.
The Tall Blacks play Croatia in Slavonski Brod on Wednesday night local time before then travelling 3 hours by bus the next day to take on Slovenia on Thursday night as the team rolls up its sleeves during preparation for the Oceania Series against Australia in August (15th Melbourne, 18th Wellington).
